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Tag: Igbo

  • Quit notice: Igbo, Arewa youths reach truce, set up 10-man peace committee

    Quit notice: Igbo, Arewa youths reach truce, set up 10-man peace committee

    Sequel to the crisis triggered by the quit notice recently issued to Igbos residing in the north, the Arewa youth and Igbo leaders have started resolving the imbroglio to douse tensions in both regions.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Coalition of Northern Groups and Igbo leaders in the North met on Friday in Kano on the issue and formed a 10-man committee to work out terms for the suspension of the quit notice.

    The committee’s assignment is expected to be accomplished within 72 hours, convener of the meeting, Alhaji Ali Tijani,said at the end of yesterday’s meeting.

    Its terms of reference include coming up with the best modalities for the suspension of the quit notice.

    Each side is represented by five members in the committee.

    They are: Chief Chi Nwogu, Eze Ngozi Nwaiwe, Igwe Boniface Ibekwe, Mr. Magnus Ihejirika and Mr. Chris for the Igbos,and Mr.. Abdullahi Toro, Dr. Abba Bukar Kagu, Dr. Yima Sen, Dauda S. Shamakuri, and Ado Mohmoud for the Arewa group.

    Meanwhile, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), in Kano, said yesterday that the quit notice in the Kaduna Declaration was not part of an agenda to use force to eject Ndi-Igbo from the Northern part of the country

    In his remarks at the Zonal Town Hall Meeting of the North West Zone, the spokesman of the coalition, Suleiman Abdulazeez, alongside Ambassador Shettima Yerima, who is the co- chairman of the group, said that the goal of the ongoing agitation was to save the integrity and the unity of this country, as well as to ensure a peaceful society.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that some prominent Northern youth associations on recently after a joint meeting tagged ‘Kaduna Declaration’ issued a serious threat to Igbos residing in the region to vacate on or before October 1 (Nigeria’s Independence Day) 2017 or face physical attacks.

     

  • ‘If you’re Nigerian you’re evil’ IPOB leader, Kanu tells Igbos

    ‘If you’re Nigerian you’re evil’ IPOB leader, Kanu tells Igbos

    The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has alleged that Hausa/Fulani are the ones behind the misfortune of the Igbos.

    Addressing members of IPOB at his home town in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, Kanu alleged that Hausa/Fulani’s are terrorising people everywhere they go.

    Kanu asked why nobody from the South East has been arrested for declaring Oduduwa Republic but law enforcement agents have been coming hard at those clamouring for the restoration of Biafra.

    He said, “I will not belong to one Nigeria and can never want it, did the Yorubas not announced Oduduwa Republic? Has anyone been arrested?

    “Why Is it that we declare Biafra and they are arresting and shooting at us and Ohanaeze has said nothing.

    “Ohanaeze has been terrorized into a state of silence and stupor by Hausa Fulani, who are using their political terrorism to terrorize people everywhere they go. Hausa Fulani uses their terrorism to sack one of our sisters in the Pensions Board.

    “There are law enforcement agents to enforce the law and the law says if you remove somebody from the Pensions Board from a particular geo-political zone and when you are looking for a replacement you go back to the ethnic group and pick a replacement but Nigerians are lawless animals.

    “They removed an Igbo woman from the South East and replaced her with a Yoruba woman from the South West.

    “I want to stress that if you are a Nigerian you are evil and a child of Satan.

    “All heads of security operatives and everybody carrying AK-47 are Hausa Fulani

    “We are tired, don’t want to stay in a country where you wake up in the morning and they sack you. The other day they sacked from military officers from the South East and nobody is talking.

    “Only Buhari’s family members occupy DSS, it’s a family affair now, that means if you touch any Hausa Fulani especially from Katsina, you are in trouble, DSS will kidnap you in the night.

    “I insist, to stay in Nigeria is evil in every way and moreover, the name Nigeria is not proper even Charly boy knows it.

    “All those idiots with Biafran names that say they want to be Nigerians are pigs.”

  • Stop making movies in Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa languages alone-Jide Kosoko

    Veteran actor, Jide Kosoko has urged filmmakers not to focus only on Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages alone when it comes to movie production.

    Kosoko stated that films produced in other ethnic Nigerian languages; alongside Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa would exhibit the country’s different cultures globally.

     

    Hear him: “We cannot continue to do movies in Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa languages leaving out other ethnic cultures that are abound in the country.

     

    “We will learn the cultures and traditions of other ethnic groups from across the country when we incorporate their languages in our movies.

     

    “Similarly, foreigners will also learn from it because Nigeria is a great nation.

     

    “Let us sell Nigeria’s diverse cultures to both Nigerians and foreigners alike by producing movies that promote our cultural diversities,” he said.

     

    He also advised actors to continue projecting positively the country’s varied cultures using the three major languages.

     

    “Our people in the Diasporas are watching our films for them to be abreast of developments back home and learn more about their cultures.

     

    “They also teach their children about their cultures using instances from the home videos; so that they will not forget their roots. It is a very strong point of showcasing our cultures,” he said.

     

    He said that Nigerians cannot abandon the English language since it has remained their official language of communication.

    “Let us leave the “Oyibo’’ man with his language and culture; which some of us do not understand, but let us embrace ours that are relevant and meaningful”

  • Biafra: ‘We are all witnesses to the injustices against the Igbos’- Charly Boy

    Biafra: ‘We are all witnesses to the injustices against the Igbos’- Charly Boy

    Controversial entertainer and activist, Charly Boy has put his weight behind Nnamdi Kanu the leader of IPOB(Indigenous People of Biafra).

    In his recent article posted on his Facebook page, Charly Boy said that there will be no call for Biafra, If there was no Injustice in Nigeria.

    According to him, for whatever reason, no man deserves to be ill-treated in his fatherland like Nnamdi Kanu. Charly Boy stated that he stands for equal rights and justice.

    Hear him:” I am for equal rights and justice, period. Advocating for the okada community doesn’t necessarily make me an okada rider. Advocating for gay rights, doesn’t make me gay. Everybody is witness to the several injustices against the Igbo’s, we may differ on methodology. Biafra for me is a mindset. If there was no great injustice in the land, there would be no call for Biafra. So don’t get it twisted.

     

    “Sometime in January 2017, I wrote about my thoughts on the Biafra and the many things my Igbo kinsmen can alternatively dedicate their all to. I titled the article “The illusion called Biafra”, those who haven’t read it should read it up because what I wrote therein will always be my stance on Biafra.We should channel our energies and abilities towards developing the South-East to become the economic-hub of Nigeria. Igbo nation and my people are great but for us to move forward we must kill this our individualistic tendencies, and come together to do great things”

    He added that whatever happens to the Igbos inevitably has a spiral effect on the other geopolitical zones In Nigeria.

    “Let it be clear to all that the sufferings and poverty of the People from the South East is also the sufferings and poverty of the peoples from the other geopolitical zones in Nigeria including my northern brothers. Even the nascent anti-corruption fight in the country has seen all tribe accordingly represented.

    “Therefore, I conclusively insist that Our Mumu Don Do because; The Failure of Leadership is evident in our agitation for Fairness, Justice and Equality for every Nigerian not just for every Igbo man. And so the Mind of the typical Igbo Leader Needs a Revolution so that it can be realigned for the Interest of the People rather than the interest of a few”.

    In his conclusion, he urged Nigerians to focus on Nigeria and begin to demand accountability from the leaders. “Let’s focus on our homeland, Our states, and begin to demand accountability and responsibility from many of our Scammers, Riffraff’s and Fraudsters in the entire nation”.

  • We fully support calls for restructuring of Nigeria – South East leaders

    We fully support calls for restructuring of Nigeria – South East leaders

    South East leaders and stakeholders have reiterated their commitment to a united Nigeria where peace, fairness and equality of opportunities are paramount to citizens irrespective of ethnicity or political affiliation.

    The leaders also threw their weight behind the call for full restructuring of the country on the platform of fairness and equity.

    The Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Gov. Dave Umahi announced yesterday in Enugu while addressing newsmen on the outcome of an interactive forum of stakeholders.

    Umahi, who is the governor of Ebonyi, said that leaders from the zone condemn all manner of hate speeches from any segment of the country.

    He said that they were in consultation with leaders from other parts of the country with a view to engaging the Federal Government in a meaningful dialogue.

    He said that the region was in full support of the 2014 National Conference report and urged the Federal Government to set up structures for implementing same within a reasonable time.

    “We are also in full support of the clamour for the restructure of the country and call on the Federal Government to start a dialogue with Nigerians on the modalities for achieving it,” he said.

    The governor said that the governors’ forum and South East National Assembly caucus would constitute the official organ that would speak for the people of the area.

    Umahi appealed to the Federal Government to take steps that would ensure safety of the people of the area wherever they lived in the country “just as we have guaranteed the safety of those in our domain”.

    Governor of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had in an address of welcome charged the people of the area to forge a common front.

    Ugwuanyi said that moment like that called for love among the people.

    The governor said that nothing would please residents of the state than to remember that Enugu was the venue where the people of the zone gathered to resolve their differences.

    The meeting which held at the Nike Lake Resort had all governors of the zone in attendance.

    Former Senate Presidents Chief Ken Nnamani and Chief Adolph Wabara as well as the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu was also in attendance.

    Other prominent leaders in attendance included, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sen. Gil Nnaji, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi and several members of the House of Representatives from the zone.

    Members of the clergy, traditional rulers and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo was also represented.

  • Politicians using ill-gotten wealth to fund Arewa, Igbo agitations – Magu

    The acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has identified corruption as the root cause of separatist agitations and militancy in the country.

    The spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement that Mr. Magu made the remarks at the opening session of a two-day Electronic and Social Media Review and Training Conference held at the EFCC Academy in Abuja on Thursday.

    Magu was quoted as saying “people would not be engaging in needless agitations if the country was corruption-free.”

    The EFCC boss also said that Nigeria’s unity was one that could not be compromised, and urged participants at the conference to step up public sensitisation on the ills of corruption.

    He said, “we can change the negative perception of this country. I urge you all to be committed in this fight using your various platforms.

    “The root cause of the hate speeches by the Arewa and Igbo youths is corruption. Some people are actually funding them.

    “The looters of our common wealth are the ones responsible for the woes bedevilling Nigeria. We must do everything possible to secure the unity of this country.

    “People who don’t deserve anything are taking everything and if there is no common consensus to halt the trend, the future of our children yet unborn will be mortgaged.’’

    Mr. Magu urged the participants to take a critical look at the social media platforms of EFCC and come up with suggestions on how to make them better.

    In a presentation, Joe Abah, the Director-General of the Bureau for Public Service Reforms, commended the EFCC, describing it as the leading anti-graft agency in Nigeria.

    Mr. Abbah said “EFCC deserves a lot of credit. You are doing a great job. Your work is what we all need you to do but many of us don’t want you to do the work.

    “EFCC is clearly charting a new path for social media engagement for the anti-graft agencies looking at its statistics on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, and Instagram.”

    He stressed the need for all anti-graft agencies to constantly compare notes to improve information sharing and synergy across the social media.

    A blogger, Japheth Omojuwa, who spoke on “Digital Media in Nigeria”, said “one could not deny the great works and achievements of the EFCC.”

    Omojuwa said the EFCC Twitter handle “was strong”, rating it as the twitter handle of the year 2017.

    He further shed light on how the new media could be used to make the job of corruption fight more effective.

    He said, “social media pages should be domiciled in your website, which is the headquarters of your activities in the commission.

    “You need to start creating visual contents.”

    He warned that the commission should be wary of hackers, saying he had noticed that the EFCC had many fake Facebook accounts.

    While noting that this could be damaging to the image of the commission, the blogger advised that Facebook should be contacted to block the fake accounts.

    Lauretta Onochie, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Media, urged Nigerians to join the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration in tackling the “hydra-headed monster called corruption.

    “Corruption has been a hindrance in the wheel of progress of the country. We need to stand up against corruption.

    “Let us live as patriots of our nation. I plead with every Nigerian to support the nation and the EFCC in the anti-corruption war. Let us all come together and kill corruption.”

    The conference was an initiative of the Public Affairs Directorate of the EFCC, the first social and electronic media programme review by the agency.

    The initiative was part of the commission’s efforts to enhance its communication strategies and channels used in engaging the public in the fight against corruption.

     

  • Quit notice: Call for arrest of Arewa youths unpatriotic – Kwankwaso

    Former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has advised against call for the arrest of leaders of Arewa youth groups who have given the Igbo a three-month ultimatum to quit the northern part of the country by October 1, 2017.

    Describing the call even from some governors of the North as unpatriotic and capable of causing national insecurity, Kwankwaso urged the governors and other leaders in the North to dialogue with the youths, instead of resorting to their arrests.

    Kwankwaso, who currently represents Kano Central senatorial district in the National Assembly, made the statement while addressing journalists said arresting members of the groups would rather aggravate the already tensed atmosphere.

    Describing the people of Igbo extraction as bona fide citizens of the country, who were free to live in any part of the country, Kwankwaso noted that true dialogue would enable the youths, who are leaders of tomorrow, better appreciate the nation’s unity in diversity.

    “The general belief in the North is that we are better together as a country. The unity and development of the country should be of paramount concern of every Nigerian,” he said.

    Kwankwaso blamed the tension over the pronouncement of the youths and the counter call by another group in the South on the weakness in the nation’s political order, accusing the elders of failing to call the youths to order.

    “Many people are afraid to call the youths to order. If they are wrong, they are wrong,” he said. He, however, commended the steps taken so far by the Federal Government, particularly Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, who had been holding series of meetings with leaders of thoughts from various parts of the country.

    The former governor contended that the agitation of the Igbo which borders on the need for better representation at the centre and the need for even development of their zone, could be addressed without resorting to threat of secession.

     

  • North’s threat to Igbo: Nigeria’s unity not negotiable – Senate

    North’s threat to Igbo: Nigeria’s unity not negotiable – Senate

    The Senate on Friday stated that Nigeria’s unity as a country is not negotiable. It vowed to move against those who are pushing for breakage of the country.

    The lawmakers made their position known at the valedictory session marking the second year anniversary of the 8th Senate.

    In his remarks, Senator George Akume (Benue North-West) urged the Senate to take a firm stand against “irredentist movements” in different parts of the country.

    “Whether it is Biafra, Arewa or those of Yorubaland, we must rise as a legislature to make a statement on what is happening. We will be failing as a major arm (of government) not to say something that will reassure the people. We are greater being together than going our separate ways,” he said.

    Also, Senator Shehu Sani urged the Senate to take a firm decision on the growing regional agitations across the country.

  • JUST IN: IG orders investigation, arrest of people behind threat to Igbos in North

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Kaduna State to investigate and arrest members of the Coalition of Northern Youths for issuing ultimatum to South Easterners living in the North.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Coalition of Northern Youths on Tuesday after a joint meeting tagged ‘Kaduna Declaration’ issued a serious threat to Igbos residing in the region to vacate on or before October 1 (Nigeria’s Independence Day) 2017 or face physical attacks.

    It also ordered Northerners living in the South Eastern part of the country to return to the North.

    The group attributed the ultimatum to the constant agitation by the Igbo ethnic group to have their own independent country.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Gov. Nasir El’ Rufai of Kaduna State on Wednesday also ordered the investigation, arrest and prosecution of the signatories to the communique issued at the end of the coalition of northern youth news conference.

    The IG gave the order at a meeting with Commissioners of Police and other high ranking officers on Thursday in Abuja.

    He warned that no individual or group of persons had the right to ask any individual to leave his or her place of residence in any part of the country.

    He ordered other state commissioners of police in the North and Assistant Inspectors -General of Police in the various zonal commands to do same.

    He said “as Commissioners of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, we have the responsibility to stop this group of persons from carrying out their threats.

    “I want us to be at alert to ensure that such persons or group were stopped at all cost from carrying out their threats.

    “No individual has the authority to stop anybody from looking for his daily bread.

    He explained that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to live in any part of the country he or she chooses.

     

    Police to sanction indiscriminate use of siren, spy number plates

    On abuse of siren and spy number plate by unauthourised persons, Idris said that a task force would be constituted across the country to check the ugly situation.

    He noted that some individuals used them to commit crimes in the society, adding that synergy between the force and other security agencies was critical to its operations.

    “We are going to check the excesses of these individuals who use siren and spy number plate, “he said.

    The police boss urged the various commands to beef up security in their formations as security challenges were taking different dimensions.

    He said the force had started the establishment of some operational units in the commands across the country to tackle emerging security challenges.

    He added that “we are facing new security challenges in the country and we have to respond to it.

    “We are trying to enhance our capacity with the establishment of these units, taking into consideration the new security challenges in the country.”

    Idris urged state governors to support the force by establishing these units for effective response to security threats across the country.

     

    Rescue mission for six kidnapped students in Lagos ongoing

    On the kidnapped six students from the Igbonla Model College, Epe area of Lagos, Idris said that police marine would be trained to flood the creeks.

    He expressed concern over the location of schools close to the sea where miscreants always had easy access to such schools.

    He said “we are going to have a permanent solution to the Lagos problem by training our marine police.”

    The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said rescue mission was ongoing to save the children.

    He explained that the police was concerned about the safety of the children in trying to rescue them.

  • 2nd Niger Bridge: Buhari as Igbo’s best friend

    By Chukwudi Enekwechi

     

    Despite obvious criticisms of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration by some South Easterners, it has finally manifested that under this administration, the people of the area will heave a sigh of relief in the aspect of infrastructural development.

    Before his assumption of power, South Easterners had to put up with a litany of unfulfilled promises by successive PDP administrations. The circuitous journey started with the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo who despite all pleadings for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge merely paid lip service to the peoples’ clarion call.

    Till President Buhari arrived on the scene no serious deliberate effort was made towards the realisation of the project. The good news however is that President Buhari has approved the construction of the second Niger Bridge as a national priority in the 2017 budget proposal.

    What this implies is that once the 2017 appropriation bill is passed into law, full construction work will commence on the Second Niger Bridge, and sufficient funds have been provided to ensure its successful completion.

    In the final analysis, the point must be made that despite the shenanigans of the PDP lords of manor about loving Igbos, President Buhari has demonstrated in concrete terms that his love for Igbos is real and unpretentious. For sixteen years, South Easterners put up with a deceitful, self-seeking and rapacious crowd whose claim to leadership was based on god-fatherism, and links to Abuja overlords.

    They failed to spare a thought for the long-suffering people of South East whose physical infrastructure had dilapidated to unimaginable levels. Rather they gloried in self-immolation and aggrandisement, preferring to pollute the atmosphere with their filthy riches, while at the same time abusing our sense of decency and tolerance.

    With President Buhari’s emergence, the people will sing a new song as a Daniel has come to judgement, as he has exhibited large heartedness towards the people of South East. In a figurative manner, one can rehash Bob Marley’s popular song which says that your “worst enemy could be your best friend”.

    This can simply be translated to mean that in spite of various misgivings against candidate Buhari during the elections by some Igbos; his proactive actions towards ameliorating the plight of the people are today visible. It is on record that no administration has gone this far in making deliberate efforts to address the infrastructural deficit of the South East geo-political zone.

    As a sign that the Buhari administration has a lot of goodies in stock for the South East it is pertinent to state here that the federal government under President Buhari has earmarked over seven strategic roads for complete rehabilitation in the zone. It is not in doubt that decayed infrastructure has remained the major militating factor towards the economic emancipation of the South East. This has also led to what many people from the area have termed as marginalization.

    Without mincing words, this is the first time a significant attention is being paid to the infrastructural decay in the South East. Regrettably, despite the fact that the zone produced five Senate Presidents, SGF, chairmen of works committee in the Senate and House of Representatives respectively, it is puzzling that they failed to influence the repair of the roads in the zone.

    It is therefore only reasonable that the people of South East should throw their weight behind the APC administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, as they embark on massive rehabilitation of road infrastructure in the zone.

    Even as President Buhari undergoes medical check-up in the United Kingdom, the fervent prayer of all Nigerians, especially people of the South East is for God to grant him good health, long life and even a second term to be able to complete his assignment for all Nigerians.

    It is indeed regrettable that despite the massive support the South East gave to PDP while their reign lasted, they merely took their support for granted, and deceived the gullible into believing that their destinies were intertwined. Unfortunately the zone had as their representatives, senators and political appointees, people with pecuniary interests who never understood the meaning of selfless service to their various constituencies.

    Today, with the presentation of 2017 budget proposals by the Minister of Works, Power and Housing , Mr. Babatunde Fashola to the National Assembly, it is crystal clear that the Buhari administration is poised to make a difference in the lives of Igbos and Nigerians in general.

    Of course, he is able to achieve this feat based on the fact that he is incorruptible, serious-minded, and does not play games with lives and welfare of the people he governs. This administration is action-packed, and the impact will be felt in different sectors, ranging from power, railway, roads, housing, health, science and technology, agriculture, internal security, social empowerment schemes, and fight against graft in public offices.

     

    Chukwudi Enekwechi, Journalist and Politician, writes from Abuja and can be reached via kwechis19@yahoo.com