Tag: Group

  • 2023: It’s presidential ticket or nothing for Peter Obi, Support group insists

    2023: It’s presidential ticket or nothing for Peter Obi, Support group insists

    A group under the aegis of Peter Obi Support Network (POSN) has said their group won’t accept anything short of Presidential ticket for their candidate, Peter Obi.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports the group described media reports making the rounds that Mr Peter Obi was being considered for Vice presidential slot to another aspirant as “arrant nonsense”.

    Obi’s ambition, the group noted, remains not negotiable, hence warned the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against playing games with the unity of Nigeria by contemplating to impose and manipulate a northerner on the members.

    According to a statement from Obi’s support group signed by its spokesman Sani Saeed Altukry, such move will adversely affect the survival, future and electoral fortunes of the party,especially at the 2023 presidential elections in particular and the entire general election.

    It will also rock the already shaky foundations of the country beyond the election cycle

    The group therefore asked Mr Obi, who has mass appeal and loved by Nigerians to consider Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed as potential running mates when the time comes.

    They noted that, “our attention has been drawn to a media report that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, one of the presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has opted for the former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi as running mate again, ahead of the 2023 Presidential race.

    “We consider the report – which we understand is planted in a national newspaper as ‘arrant nonsense!””

    “Peter Obi’s presidential ambition is not negotiable because he has repeatedly assured us and other Nigerians that have consulted with him on the matter that he is in the presidential race to win.

    “The report that Atiku is considering Obi as a running mate is ‘fake news’ obviously planted to test waters and deceive millions of Nigerians that see Peter Obi’s presidency as the last hope to rescue Nigeria.

    “However, we are not surprised because Nigerians are aware that Atiku appreciates Obi’s sterling presidential qualities which was why he chose Obi as running mate in 2019.

    “Finally, we hereby demand that the PDP party leadership must speak out immediately on the issue of zoning rather than playing hide-and-seek with the matter. The party leadership will be hearing from us on this important issue very soon because any attempt to foist a northern candidate on the party will have adverse effects on the future of the party and on the already shaky unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  • Group speaks on Tinubu’s alleged plan to defect to SDP

    Group speaks on Tinubu’s alleged plan to defect to SDP

    The Nigeria Diaspora for Asiwaju (NDA), has refuted social media reports alleging that Sen. Bola Tinubu, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Dr Akin Badeji, Director-General, NDA, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the two-term former governor of Lagos State has no such plan.

    He said that Tinubu remained the national leader of the APC and was focused on his consultation across the country to seek support from Nigerians and critical stakeholders of the party, ahead of 2023 poll.

    “The attention of NDA has been drawn to an unsubstantiated report making the rounds on social media that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, leader of the APC is set to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    “The news report is fake, baseless and should be regarded as such. It is nothing but an imagination of those who planted it,”the NDA Director-General said.

    He, therefore, appealed to Nigerians and APC members especially to ignore the fake news on steroids.

    He called on Nigerians to continue to support the APC and the presidential ambition of Tinubu, saying he was the right man to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 after the completion of his tenure.

  • 2023: Adopt your predecessor’s footsteps in choice of successor, Enugu group tells Gov Ugwuanyi

    2023: Adopt your predecessor’s footsteps in choice of successor, Enugu group tells Gov Ugwuanyi

    A socio-cultural organization in Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State, ‘Nsukka Ezue Group’, has advised Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to adopt his predecessor’s footsteps in choice of his successor come 2023.

    The group joined the league of partisan and non-partisan groups supporting the adoption and strict adherence to the established rotational zoning arrangement of the governorship position in the state, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Speaking when a delegation of the Nsukka Ezue Group, comprising intellectuals, academics, members of the clergy and traditional institutions, politicians and men and women of different political persuasions, paid a solidarity visit to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the Government House, Enugu, the Chairman, Prof. Damian Ugwutikiri Opata, stated that they support the current zoning formula in Enugu State.

    Prof. Opata pointed out that “Zoning, whether called Federal Character, or Rotation of offices, is very well established in Nigeria”, adding that ‘it is the embodiment of equity, justice and inclusivity in any polity, especially one as diverse as the Nigerian Federation”.

    The group therefore declared that “Any person openly or clandestinely against zoning or campaigning against it in Nigeria in general, and in Enugu State in particular, is neither patriotic nor altruistic and peace loving”.

    Speaking particularly about Enugu State, the Chairman said: “Any person or persons against the established zoning principle are selfish and self-bent on destabilizing the prevailing atmosphere of peace, security and stability your (Gov. Ugwuanyi’s) regime has successfully entrenched in the state”.

    Commending Gov. Ugwuanyi for the good job he has continued to do in Enugu State, the group declared support for the governor and urged him to “go ahead and anoint your successor as your predecessors in office did”.

    “Your Excellency, you did not start the zoning in Enugu State, and you should never allow it to fail or collapse under your regime. It is a sacred obligation for you to succeed where your predecessors succeeded.

    “We therefore call on you to endorse and implement the current zoning formula which provides that the next Governor of Enugu State should come from Enugu East Senatorial District’’, the group said.

    Stressing on the benefits of zoning, the group further said: “It is well known that zoning of political offices reduces cost of primaries, and also reduces stress, friction, violence, and thuggery during primaries. It inculcates the discipline of one waiting for one’s turn, and ensures that at one time or the other, each component unit gets its share of particular political offices.

    “Particularly in a democracy, it ensures that minority populations are never shut off from political offices. Furthermore, zoning of political offices has a soothing effect on the polity by assuring components of the state that their turn will surely come at the expected time.

    “So, zoning brings peace and stability in the political processes of nations. Above all, zoning is ethical by ensuring that what ought to be done is actually done in electing and appointing people to different political offices”.

    The Chairman of ‘Nsukka Ezue Group’, Prof. Opata informed and invited Gov. Ugwuanyi to their proposed National Dialogue on zoning scheduled for April 7, 2022, at Adada Hall, Nsukka Local Government Area, stressing that the Dialogue will birth massive interactions with different groups with the aim of creating awareness and fully mobilizing the larger voter population.

    They promised Gov. Ugwuanyi that they “will continue to produce ideological support positions from a non-partisan political perspective that will appeal to both PDP and non-PDP members in the state”.

    Lending their voice, the Director General of the group, Hon. Chineme Onyeke, Rev. Fr. Dr. Emeka Ngwoke, HRH Igwe Herbert Ukuta, Venerable Dr. Nnamdi Ijeudo, Prof. Mrs. Helen Nwamba, Hon. Celestine Ogbu and Hon. Kentus Eze reiterated the group’s stance on zoning and enjoined Gov. Ugwuanyi to remain focused, prayerful, strong, and steadfast in his untiring efforts at entrenching peace, good governance, and providing effective political leadership in Enugu State.

    They reassured the governor that members of group, numbering in thousands, are solidly behind him and his political decisions in respect of the choice of his successor and other engagements ahead of the 2023 general elections.

  • Civil society organisations call on President Buhari to speedily sign the amended Electoral Bill

    Civil society organisations call on President Buhari to speedily sign the amended Electoral Bill

    A civic-tech organisation known as PROMAD Foundation, on Tuesday, joined other civil society organisations, in Abuja, to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to speedily sign the amended Electoral Bill.

    PROMAD, an organization
    that works to empower citizens and communities, enabling accountability and participation for good governance and development, noted that the call was the collective voices of Nigerians.

    In the words of PROMAD: “Earlier today at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, we joined other civil society organisations to call on President Buhari to speedily sign the amended Electoral Bill transmitted to him by the National Assembly. This call is the collective voices of Nigerians.”

    Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, during an interview on Tuesday, said President Buhari could sign the bill today.

    “He (Buhari) will sign it (the bill) any moment from now,” he said while appearing as a guest on the Channels Television breakfast programme. “It could be today, it could be tomorrow, it could be anytime, but within the 30 days.

    “It could be signed today; it could be signed tomorrow. In a matter of hours, not days. Hours could be 24 hours, it could be 48 hours; not days, not weeks.”

    This comes nearly a month after lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives chambers of the National Assembly passed the harmonised version of the bill.

    Passed on January 25, the bill was transmitted to President Buhari a week after, as confirmed by his Senior Special Assistant on NASS Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare.

    Weeks after receiving the bill, the President has yet to give his assent – an action that has sparked an outcry from critics who fear he might reject it again.

    Defending his principal, Adesina slammed those accusing the President of delaying the signing of the bill, stressing that the Nigerian leader’s action was still within the requirements of the Constitution.

    He stated that it would only be appropriate to say President Buhari has acted against the law if exceeds the 30-day window provided by the law.

    “You know before the President will put pen to paper on any legislation, particularly this one that has to do with our electoral fortunes, it has to be looked at and looked at.

    “He has to buy opinions from different stakeholders and having been satisfied that the necessary due diligence had been done and he will not be making any error, then he will sign it, and I tell you that Nigerians will get to hear about this bill in hours,” Adesina said.

    President Buhari had withheld his assent to the bill in November 2021, citing the cost of conducting direct primary elections, security challenges, and possible manipulation of electoral processes by political players as part of the reasons for his decision.

    He, however, gave some conditions to give his assent, prompting the lawmakers to re-work the bill which initially led to the emergence of two versions from the green and red chambers of the assembly.

    While the House re-amended the bill to include the direct and indirect primary options, the Senate re-adjusted to include the direct, indirect, and consensus modes of selecting political parties’ candidates.

    Both chambers, thereafter, passed the harmonised version- the final agreed version of the amendment to Clause 84 of the bill.

    This included the direct, indirect, and consensus primary modes of nominating candidates by political parties for elections.

  • 2023: Another group begs Godwin Emefiele to run for presidency

    2023: Another group begs Godwin Emefiele to run for presidency

    …catalogues his numerous achievements

    …how he financed and mobilised 4.5m farmers to cultivate rice

     

    Another group has emerged insisting the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele must take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports the group under the umbrella of Ge.Campaign group in a bid to convince the apex bank Governor reeled out his achievements declaring that he has what it takes to run Nigeria out of the woods.

    Hinging their position on the earth-shaking projects executed under his watch as CBN Governor, the group catalogued all his achievements in what could be described as a blueprint.

    His vision on food security, establishment of the National Collateral Registry of Nigeria (NCR) to improve access to finance, financial inclusion, particularly to the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprisesrobust innovative economy (MSMEs) by ensuring that credit delivery to MSMEs is more available and accessible.

    “His politics: Appointed by a People’s Democratic assets acceptable as collateral for loans by financial Party (PDP) government in June 2014 and confirmed for a second term in office by the All Progressives.

    “Reduction of interest rate to manufacturers from Congress (APC) government of President Muhammadu nine to five percent.

    “Buhari, Godwin Emehele straddles the political aisle CBN’s healthcare financing programme, embarks on with extensive network, alliances and pan-Nigerian building seven state-of-the-arts diagnostic centres friendships forged over seven years of engagements in Nigeria.

    “Also financing healthcare through the Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF) as part of efforts to enhance His record (under the leadership of President output growth, value added productivity, and job creation.

    “Has so far financed 4.5 million farmers that cultivated – Established a N5Obillion facility for households and 5.3 million hectares across 21 commodities through small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that 23 Participating Financial Institutions in the 36 have been particularly hard hit by Covid-19.

    “States of the federation and FCT under the Anchor – Instituted a N100 billion health sector emergency Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

    The list according to the group is endless but “our goal is that Nigerians must convince Emefiele to run for presidency in 2023.

  • 2023: Group beckons on Godwin Emefiele to join presidential race

    2023: Group beckons on Godwin Emefiele to join presidential race

    …asks the economist to help reform Nigeria

    …as another Otoge group move to change narrative in 2023

    A group under the aegis of Mass Interest Project, MIP has beckoned on the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele to join the presidential race to help reform Nigeria.

    Emefiele an economist of note with traceable track record of achievements was considered a beacon of hope as Nigeria is currently undergoing an economic surgery.

    An economist in the mould of Emefiele fits the bill to help conduct a successful economic surgery for Nigeria from 2023.

    According to MIP, who leads the ‘Charge 2023? to help combat the barrage of economic threats laced around, political captivity, poverty, unemployment, insecurity confronting Nigeria from various ends.

    To this end, MIP in its trending campaign online has outlined a three-prong agenda to help catapult Nigeria from the distress of economic quagmire facing the country.

    On the Trump card is improved standard of living, higher GDP/GNI and world standard healthcare designed for all Nigerians with an economist as the pilot of the Nigerian project.

    MIP has put out a well planned network to galvanise Nigerians towards ensuring Emefiele accepts to run in 2023.

    In the campaign captured all these maladies bedeviling Nigeria and how it must stop as a tested hand in the person of Godwin Emefiele must run for president to put an end to the ugly trends in our country.

    This is just as another Otoge movement group birthed to change the narrative in 2023

    In their fresh campaign trending online the group stated that:

    “The political permutations ahead 2023 is already displaying the usual signals of recycled politicians that have been in the corridor of power for over two decades and those that have chosen permanent residency in Government circle.

    The group birthed to checkmate these permanent residents in Government House doling out dislocated economic policies that will further sink Nigeria into total oblivion.

    Stating in the viral campaign online that ” as expected, there is already tension across the country. From East to West, North to South, Nigerians are beginning to feel the heat as the political gladiators go on the hustings, perfecting their art to play the game the only they know how to play it: with ruthless efficiency.

    “These are men and some women who are well-versed in political deception, intimidation, blackmail and are also experts in the arts of violence, which they readily deploy to exact vengeance or force compliance to their will and desire.

    “They are also adept at making promises they cannot keep or are not capable of supporting. They have been there from the beginning: from the First Republic, the Second Republic, the Third Republic, the Fourth Republic and continued to rule the roost even up to the present political dispensation.

    “Yet these careerist politicians, or political leaders as they prefer to be addressed, have continuously refused to let go, strutting their turf with magisterial arrogance, even while the country bleeds or totters precariously at the edge of a precipice. The reason for this is not far to seek: They have made it a lifetime career of appearing at every election season and contesting for every available post.

    “For them, they have been ordained to rule, and rule they must.But the question is: after all these years, what has the country got to show for our much-vaunted democratic experiments? Is it a nation that is fractured almost beyond repair?

    “An economy that has been ailing over the years and presently appears headed to the emergency ward? Is it the prevailing insecurity in the land and the fear of uncertainty that now rules the hearts of most Nigerians?

    “But since 2023 holds bright prospects to get at the spoils of political office, there is always an army of aspirants willing and ready to join the fray. Incidentally, there are, as usual, many territories to invade, conquer, and take. From the local government, the state assembly, governorship, National Assembly, and the presidency, the stakes, though high, must be coveted and taken by force or surreptitious means. Understandably, the presidency holds the highest stake and is being keenly coveted and contested.

    “This is why with months before the 2023 presidential election, the nation is already abuzz with the deafening noise of those on the campaign trail, with their different campaign trains traversing many of the cities in the land.

    “As expected, the usual suspects have made or made their intentions known. That is why you hear rotation and zoning being commonly chorused at almost every political gathering.

    “For now, the battleground is at the intra-party level, where vicious scheming and manipulations are clearly evident as primaries and conventions are being planned and organised to select candidates for various elections.

    “As this selection, rather than election, the drama unfolds, there is already a lot of huffing and puffing, sabre-rattling in the leading political parties as different factions up the ante to undo or upstage others for electoral advantage.

    “Indeed, the two leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress(APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), are presently wracked by crises due to sharp disagreements among their respective members on the choice of candidates to fly their flags during the governorship, National Assembly and presidential elections next year.

    “The wranglings are particularly more intense with regards to the presidential aspirants, some of whom are already strutting the campaign trail and flooding major cities, especially Lagos and Abuja, with their campaign posters.

    “But remarkably, the roll call of those who have made their intention known in this regard is dominated by the familiar careerist politicians who have been part and parcel of the leadership crises afflicting the nation over the years.

    “The same set of people who have been a parasite on the country, contributing little or nothing to its development or progress.
    “But the good news is that Nigerians are not sleeping. There are already strong indications that they are ready to take the destiny of the nation into their hands with regards to who gets elected, especially as their president.

    “In fact, a civil society organisation that identifies itself as “Enough is Enough Nigeria” recently launched a 13-month campaign ahead of the 2023 general elections anchored on the theme: #MakeNaijaWork Campaign.’ It is expected to serve as a “clarion call to Nigerians to seize the golden opportunity to decide and elect credible leaders by registering to vote and selecting candidates based on defined criteria – courage, compassion, competence, capacity, and character.”

    “But more importantly, there is already in the offing another O to ge movement, a revolutionary wind blowing across the country which specifically questions the leadership credentials of careerist politicians presently aspiring to be elected president in 2023.

    “The argument is that since careerist politicians have consistently failed over the years to provide the kind of leadership Nigeria needs, it was high time to look at those men and women who have been tested and proven as great achievers in their various non-political endeavours. Here we are talking about outstanding entrepreneurs and experienced business leaders such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji, Isiaku Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, Atedo Peterside, Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, Allen Onyema, among several others.

    “These are founders and captains of industries who have shown requisite leadership abilities in running organisations successfully, providing jobs for millions of Nigerians, and helping to keep the Nigerian economy afloat and running. The belief is that if any of these men are entrusted with the appointment of leading Nigeria in 2023, the country will undoubtedly be better for it.

  • Sit-at-home: Ohanaeze demands public apology from IPOB

    Sit-at-home: Ohanaeze demands public apology from IPOB

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has asked the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to tender a public apology and ask for forgiveness from Ndigbo for their mistakes which have destroyed the economic and social activities in the southeast.

    To solidarize with its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB had declared sit-at-home on Mondays and other days of trial on a treason charge brought against him by the Federal Government.

    Ohanaeze called on agitators of Biafra residing abroad to relocate to Nigeria to physically lead the struggle.

    IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, can no longer be hiding in places around the world while directing Igbo youths to destroy their land

    The group, which represents all Igbo communities within and outside Nigeria, warned the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, that the era of Biafra agitators hiding in Europe, America, or Asia is over.

    In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group said that the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, can no longer be hiding in places around the world while directing Igbo youths to destroy their land.

    Ohanaeze maintained that it is an act of cowardice for them to hide in their comfort zone in Europe and America to lead Biafra agitation.

    According to the group, “We warn that the era of Biafra agitators, residing in Europe, Asia and America giving directives to Igbos have ended.

    “They should relocate to Nigeria to physically lead the struggle, as it’s an act of cowardice to hide in your comfort zone in Europe, and America to lead Biafra agitation.”

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural group also called on Governors in the South East of the country to search for lasting solutions to the ongoing weekly sit-at-home in the region.

    “It was time for the Governors to swing into action since they now blamed some yet to be identified criminals for hijacking the exercise,” Ohanaeze asserted.

    No Igbo Governor or Senator deserves to seek for election in 2023 if they lacked the balls to stamp out the disgraceful activities that have ridiculed southeastern Nigerians

    The group pointed out that it was obvious that men of the underworld have taken advantage of IPOB’s miscalculations to unleash terrorist raids and onslaughts against Ndigbo.

    Adding: “Drastic measures are needed to arrest this shameless activity that has paralyzed the academic, economic, and social activities in the southeast. The governors should know that posterity will be unkind and unfair to them if they concede to circumstances of sit-at-home and didn’t confront the hyper dreaded monster squarely.

    “No Igbo Governor or Senator deserves to seek for election in 2023 if they lacked the balls to stamp out the disgraceful activities that have ridiculed southeastern Nigerians, who are known as the best black entrepreneurs and business merchants across the globe.

    “We are compelled by the evidence of insubordination before us, to advise that the southeast governors should sack and dismiss all major markets leadership in their respective states or give them an ultimatum to quit adherence to the observation of sit at home.

    “All markets in the southeast are instrumental in helping the governors to end the absurdity of madness called the IPOB’s sit at home because the structure of most influencers of Sit at home is amongst the Market leadership in the southeast, and any day they pull out of the secessionist crusade, it will collapse like pack of cards.”

    Ohanaeze further blamed the IPOB for initially instituting the sit-at-home exercise without any consultative meetings with the Igbo leadership and political leaders.

  • Group protests arrest of Chiwetalu Agu

    Group protests arrest of Chiwetalu Agu

    A group, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), which describes itself as the umbrella body of all the youth groups in the South East geopolitical zone, has condemned the arrest of veteran movie actor, Chiwetalu Agu.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Agu had been arrested and later released by the Nigerian Army, in Onitsha, while distributing loaves of bread, dressed in colours suspected to be that of the defunct Biafra Republic.

    He was, however, said to have been again arrested by the operatives of the Directorate of State Services (DSS), after he had been released by the the military.

    Reacting to this, COSEYL in a press statement by its President General, Goodluck Ibem stated that: “We condemn in strongest terms the manhandling and torture of a professional and prolific actor of Southeast extraction, Chiwetalu Agu in Onitsha by Nigerian Army and arrest by the DSS for wearing a red, green and black clothe that has a drawing of a sun on it.

    “The manhandling and torture by the Army and arrest by the Department of State Security, DSS of an elderly Igbo man like Chiwetalu Agu in broad daylight confirms to the entire world the hatred and disdain the Nigerian Army and the DSS have against Ndigbo.

    “The Nigerian army and the DSS are now agencies for the harassment, intimidation and killing of Ndigbo. What the army did to the Igbo actor is gross ethnic vendetta,” the group said.

    Ibem added that the Nigerian military and the DSS have clearly shown to the entire world their “wicked inclinations towards Ndigbo because on more than one occasion the Kaduna based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi was seen holding meetings and holding briefs for kidnappers, bandits and terrorists.”

    The group said: “The Igbo actor wore just a clothe with a red, green, black and a sun drawn on it, which is by every standard very lawful, but because he is an Igboman, the Army tortured and manhandled him and thereafter handed him over to the DSS for more torture and inhuman treatments and the DSS is now saying that justice would be done.

    “This is travesty of the law and we condemn it in its entirety.

    “We demand the unconditional and immediate release of Mr Chinwetalu Agu by the DSS and we demand that the army and the DSS should pay compensation to him for the injury and inhuman treatments meted out to him.”

     

  • Group decries kidnapping upsurge in Kogi, attacks on worshippers

    Group decries kidnapping upsurge in Kogi, attacks on worshippers

    The socio-cultural Development Association of the Yoruba people of Kogi State, Okun Development Association (ODA), has condemned in strong terms, the attack on worshippers at a church in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen invaded ECWA Goodnews Church. Okedayo, in Kabba, Kogi, on Sunday, killed one person, injured three and abducted two worshipers.

    A statement by ODA National Secretary, Pastor Ben Abereoran, on Tuesday in Lokoja, decried the needless attack on innocent people who gathered to worship their God in line with their religious tenets.

    He noted that the church attack was among the numerous insecurity issues bedeviling the communities in Okun land, saying, ”the attack and the attendant loss of life is barbaric, unfortunate and extremely very sad”.

    According to him, it was the fear of this and similar occurrences in different parts of Okunland that made ODA to earlier appeal passionately to the State Government to reconsider her open door policy to herders.

    ”Those who disguised as ordinary people going about for their survival, whereas they had and still harbor evil intentions. Today, we all know better.

    ”Also, the Jail break at the Federal Minimum Correctional Centre, Kabba, and the Kidnappings in Ijumu, Kabba-Bunu, Mopa Amuro, Oworo land, Yagba East and Yagba West Local Government Areas, are alien to our land.

    ”We call for improved security in the area towards nipping the recent upsurge in kidnapping in Okun land. Security agencies must rise up to their responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people.

    The group scribe further called on all security apparatus in the country to come and save Okun people from kidnappings, savagery, banditry and killings being carried out by yet to be identified persons.

    ”We make this call all the time, hoping that the authorities will rise to the occasion. Sadly, it gets worse with each passing day.

    ”What can the people do if the security agencies are unable to provide adequate security cover to the people?

    ”We the ODA do not want to believe that the security agencies lack the ability and capacity to decisively deal with this situation.

    ”This is why we once again appeal to our political leadership across board, for the sake of millions of young innocent children and the overall long-term interest of Nigeria, to demonstrate the political will and put this menace to rest once and for all,” he said.

    Abereoran urged the Local Government Chairmen to sit up and justify the trust of the people by partnering with relevant stakeholders like traditional rulers to arrest the externally imposed current situation in Okunland.

  • Fire incident: Katsina central market traders lose N50m daily – Group

    Fire incident: Katsina central market traders lose N50m daily – Group

    An NGO, International Human Rights Movement, says the traders affected by the recent fire outbreak in Katsina central market, lose over N50 million daily.

    The Ambassador Nigeria of the NGO, Mr Salisu Musa, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Saturday in Katsina, attributed the financial loss to what he called the refusal of the state government to allow the traders rebuild their shops.

    He recalled that on March 2, the market was gutted by fire, with property worth more than N902.1 million destroyed and a total of 608 shops burnt.

    “During the fire incident, another 59 attachment shops were affected, while 21 shops were looted.

    “We arrived at the amount being lost daily by the traders through our interactions with them. Each of them told us how much they lose daily which we multiplied by the number of shops affected.

    “To investigate the real cause of the fire outbreak, the Katsina State government set up a 21-man committee of experts, with their findings revealing that congestion was the major cause.

    “For that reason, the state government did all it could to ensure that the victims got financial support. And also, government’s plan was to reconstruct the shops and reduce the congestion.

    “The victims cried out and urged the government and the stakeholders to give them permission to rebuild their shops to enable them continue with their businesses,” he said.

    Musa said that more than 2,668 persons lost their means of livelihood, as each shop had, at least, four to five assistants working under it.

    “Therefore, we are calling on the state government and stakeholders to immediately give permission to those affected traders to re-construct their shops.

    “While the committee is trying to find the root cause of the outbreak, we urge the government to look into the possibility of using another market called ‘Dubai market’.

    “This will boost the state’s economic growth and help reduce the rate of unemployment in the state,” he said