… restate commitment to ensuring access to justice for the less-privileged
By Joseph Albert, Awka
The International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Anambra State Branch, has held lectures, luncheon and presented awards to deserving individuals, part of activities marking her 2024 FIDA Week in the state.
Honourable Justice Nkemdilim Izuako chaired the event held at FIDA office in Awka, during which a former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Paul Odidigwe, Dean of Law Faculty, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Mrs Ogugua Ikpeze, Anambra State Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, Acting VC, COOU, Professor Kate Omenugha, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State CID Awka, Mr. Akin Fakorede, were presented with various categories of award.
Other award recipients at the event were the retired HOD, Optometry, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr Mrs Agatha Muoka, Barr. Hilary Asiegbu, Barr. Dr. Uzoma Dioha, Barrister Ifeoma Cyprain-Okonkwo.
In her keynote speech on the theme of the event, “Innovate, adapt, thrive: female lawyers in a changing economy”, a Professor of Law and former High Court Judge, Mrs Nkiru Obumneme-Okafor, noted that the present economic reality in Nigeria is affecting legal practice and practitioners, and urged the female lawyers to, among other things, take advantage of technology and social media in surmounting present economic challenges.
Earlier while declaring the event opened, the Anambra FIDA Chairperson, His Worship, Genevieve Osakwe, said the non-governmental, non-profit-oriented and non-political organization is committed to ensuring adequate and timeous access to justice for women, children and less-privileged people in the state, and have sensitized community leaders on FIDA objectives.
On her part, the Chairperson, 2024 FIDA Week Planning Committee, Barrister Amara Muojeke, noted that the annual event offers opportunity to reflect on FIDA shared values and recognize those who have championed the course of justice and equality in the society, especially for women and children, adding however that many of their cases are resolved in favor of men.
She disclosed that on yearly basis, FIDA Anambra handles over a hundred cases brought by the less-privileged individuals; who they in FIDA often have to address their urgent need for food and shelter before any legal process starts, reason they group needs support to continue and expand their work.
Performance by Law Students of COOU, Igbariam Campus, and Anyabolus added glamour to the event which also featured health talk.
As the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence count, a non governmental organization, NGO, Onúrúbé, which has presence in Southeast states, has called for strengthened collaboration between relevant stakeholders to prevent the menace.
The call was in reaction to alleged abuse of a 2-year-old pupil, name withheld, by her 19-year-old teacher, which was reported to the NGO by Sisters With A Goal (SWAG) on Friday, 22nd November 2024.
In a statement issued on behalf of ONÚRÚBÉ Coalition Against Gender-Based Violence, Marjorie N. Ezihe restated the importance of aligning with statutory frameworks in ensuring justice and protecting children’s rights.
The group however commend the police for being professional in handling the matter, especially by referring the victim to FUTHO for ‘transparent accountability’, adding that the medical report from the institution cleared the school and the accused teacher of any wrong doing.
The NGO further advised that the victims in the case can approach the court for justice.
It was gathered that after investigative protocols were ignored and single-sided narrative sent to the public, ONÚRÚBÉ initiated a fact-finding mission on Monday, 25th November 2024 to address these gaps, ensure justice and align with statutory provisions for gender-based violence and child protection.
In the instant case of child sexual abuse, the NGO made the following key findings:
1. Compromised Investigation and Reporting: Chidiebube Okeoma, a journalist, prematurely uploaded unverified details, including the victim’s identity, to social media. This act breached investigative and ethical journalism standards, violating Section 24 of the VAPP Act, which prohibits secondary victimization of survivors.
2. Unjust Detention: Miss Uba’s extended detention violated the principle of proportionality under the Child Rights act, Section 16, which calls for evidence-based processes when dealing with minors’ cases.
3. Procedural Delays at FUTHO: Bureaucratic inefficiencies at the hospital caused significant delays in releasing the medical report, hindering timely investigation. The Child Rights Act, Section 14, emphasizes prompt and efficient mechanisms in cases involving children’s welfare.
4. Family’s Non-Cooperation: The family failed to act on the proforma medical directive, limiting the investigation’s scope and contributing to the sensationalism that derailed procedural integrity.
5. Violation of Victim’s Rights: Publicizing graphic allegations and the child’s identity violated her dignity and privacy under Section 11 of the Child Rights Act.
It therefore made following recommendations:
1. Strengthening Gender-Based Violence Protections: Authorities must ensure adherence to Sections 24 and 25 of the VAPP Act to prevent secondary victimization and malicious accusations.
Law enforcement should adopt trauma-informed approaches when handling allegations involving minors.
2. Reinforcing Child Protection Mechanisms: Reporting protocols under Sections 13 and 14 of the Child Rights Act should be strictly followed to protect children from harm during investigations.
3. Ethical Media Reporting: Journalists must comply with ethical standards, prioritizing child protection over sensationalism.
Relevant authorities should sanction those who breach media guidelines to deter similar occurrences.
4. Reforming Bureaucratic Processes: Hospitals must streamline medical reporting processes in sensitive cases to avoid unnecessary delays.
The victim’s mother, Victoria, had claimed that while bathing her daughter the evening the incident reportedly happened, she alleged that her teacher inserted scissors into her private parts, reason she, Victoria, confronted the school the following day after observations made.
It was equally gathered that despite efforts by the school Proprietress and Headmistress to engage the victim’s family, they remained uncooperative.
Sources disclosed that the school Proprietress was later arrested on 20th November and released on bail to facilitate police investigation.
Continuing, the source said that on the same day, the police issued a ‘proforma’ invoice requesting further medical examination of the victim at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri (FUTHO), but the victim’s mother, Victoria, bypassed this step, opting instead to take the matter to social media on Friday, 22nd November.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, an intervention agency set up by the Federal Government, has disbursed over N104bn to students in Nigerian tertiary institutions across the country since inception, data obtained from the Fund revealed on Tuesday.
The disbursed funds encompasses institutional fees paid directly to the institutions of applicants and upkeep loans paid directly to the account number provided by the applicants.
According to the data provided by the Fund, a total of 320,837 applicants applied for institutional fees and the sum of N33.9bn disbursed while N70.2bn was disbursed as upkeep loan to 292,897 applicants.
Total disbursed so far as of November 29,2024 stands at N104,245,064,954 in terms of institutional and upkeep loans.
A beneficiary of the scheme, who simply identified himself as Tomi from the University of Ilorin hailed the Federal Government for the intervention.
“We are grateful to the Federal Government for the intervention. Personally, I am grateful for the upkeep loan. I have no reason to be broke or disturb my parents for upkeep. I have enough to take care of myself every month.”
Another student, Muhammed Ibrahim from the Usman Dan-Fodio University, Sokoto, said, “The intervention has lifted burdens from the shoulders of parents. Parents no longer have to worry about sourcing for funds. I encourage people who have not taken the loan to do so. There is no interest and repayment is going to be easy.”
President Bola Tinubu, on April 3, signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law.
The assent was sequel to the separate considerations by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
The executive bill titled, ‘A bill for an Act to repeal the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023 and Enact the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2004 to Establish the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a body corporate to receive, manage and invest funds to provide loans to Nigerians for higher education, vocational training and skills acquisition and related matters,’ was signed in the presence of the leadership of the National Assembly, ministers and major stakeholders of education.
The Act empowers the Nigeria Education Loan Fund to provide loans to qualified Nigerian students for tuition, fees, charges and upkeep during their studies in approved public tertiary institutions and vocational and skills acquisition establishments in the country.
Since its launch, individuals who benefited from student loan schemes in the past have made repayment to the Fund. In September, Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former beneficiary of the defunct Federal Government Student Loan Scheme in the 1970s refunded the sum of N2m to NELFUND.
Earlier in August, a former member of the House of Representatives, Lanre Laoshe repaid his N1,200 student loan received between 1976 and 1979 with N3,189,217.00 to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
The Managing Director of the Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr has continued to embark on visits across tertiary institutions to sensitise students on the benefits of the scheme.
The Alaigbo Development Foundation has issued a stern warning against any attempt to deny Rivers State its constitutional right to produce the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the January 2025 elections.
In a statement on Wednesday, signed by its President, Nze Coleman Chukwudelunzu, the ADF described those seeking to undermine the Ohanaeze Constitution as the “number one enemies of the Igbo nation.”
Chukwudelunzu stressed the importance of adhering to constitutional principles and maintaining fairness in Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s leadership.
“Whoever wants to deny our brothers in Rivers State their right to produce the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is an enemy of Ndigbo and the Igbo nation. We must resist them,” he said.
The ADF leader identified two major challenges undermining Ohanaeze Ndigbo: external forces attempting to control Igbo affairs and internal actors seeking federal appointments at the expense of Igbo unity.
Chukwudelunzu alleged that powerful individuals from other ethnic groups had, in the past, influenced the selection of Ohanaeze President-Generals and criticised some Igbo governors for prioritising personal gains over regional interest.
“Tragically, some so-called Ohanaeze chieftains act as errand boys to governors and ministers instead of speaking truth to power as great leaders like Akanu Ibiam and Z.C. Obi once did,” he lamented.
Despite these challenges, Chukwudelunzu expressed gratitude for the resilience of patriotic Igbo leaders within the ADF, emphasising the need for Ohanaeze Ndigbo to remain a vital socio-cultural institution for Igbo unity and progress.
Reflecting on historical moments of Igbo unity, Chukwudelunzu recalled the efforts of Igbo delegates during the 1994-1995 Abuja National Constitutional Conference.
Leaders such as Okogbule Wanodi, Peter Odili, and Emeka Ojukwu stood together to defend Igbo interest against divisive agendas like the Justice Mamman Nasir Committee’s state creation plans.
“At that conference, Igbo delegates showcased an unbreakable bond of unity that Justice Mamman Nasir himself could not ignore,” Chukwudelunzu reminisced, calling for similar unity as the January elections approach.
By Damian Egwuonwu, Onitsha
Teachers House has won the 2024 inter-House Sports competition of lrene menakaya schools onitsha.
Pupils of the Victorious House scored the highest points to cart away the giant Trophy, while lawyers House came second, Engineers House settled for the third position.
Chisom Ebele emerged as the best female athlete and Chima Edeogu of lawyers House named the overall best athlete of the sports fiesta.
In his address, the chairman Anambra state sports Development commission Mr Patrick Estate onyedum represented by a gold medalist at the last National youth Games in Asaba, miss lfechukwu Esther nwankwo of Ryders sports Academy, noted that irene Menakaya schools onitsha came top in the last schools sports competition in Anambra state, that featured six hundred and seven schools involving sixteen thousand pupils, adding that opportunities are there for promising athletes to express themselves in sports.
Speakers at the occasion, which included Mrs chieze nzegwu, leader of umuada Odozi obodo onitsha Branch, Barrister festus Afubera,the chairman of parents Teachers Association, representatives of umuada umunya led by Mrs Florence chidiogo Anene and mrs Bridget okoye, Mrs Azuka okagbue and Mrs christy chukwukelu,a staff of the schools in their respective speeches, commended the schools for providing an enabling environment for the pupils to express themselves, adding that physical activities are vital for the full development of the child. The sports jamboree featured short-put, middle and short distance races, including Relay event, parents and staff races formed part of the closing ceremony.
Trophies, medals and prizes were given to victorious athletes.
Iyom Ngozi Ebosie Trophy was handed over to mothers House team,umuada umunya prize goes to the best teacher 2024, while Honourable Chris Nonyelu prize was for the best House.
Kpajie onyechi Egwuonwu prize was won by the best sports child in lawyers House,who will now enjoy his scholarship for the second term.Dr Devon Bannister Trophy was for the first position, while Alfa papaTrophy for the second position was sponsored by Dr Philip Akinmurele.
Irene menakaya schools onitsha is at the verge of celebrating fifty years of existence as a leading primary and Nursery private schools in onitsha.
One of the few benefits enjoyed by people being ruled with an iron fist is that they enjoy maximum security as external forces or internal forces and non-state actors wouldn’t dare threaten the state or the people in it for the fear of the strong man in power, maka na ebube agụ na eche agụ.
It’s why a lot of lovers of Nigeria have briefly romanced the idea of a “Benevolent Dictator” as expressed by Chinua Achebe in his book, No Longer at Ease, when Obi Okonkwo returned to Nigeria and saw the level of the rot in the system and felt that maybe, a benevolent dictator could be the only way out.
Obi Okonkwo’s sentiments have been shared by majority of ndi Enugu who have felt that perhaps, an unfeeling governor who does whatever he wants without caring whose ox is gored would be best to lead Enugu into the 4th Industrial Revolution.
It’s why there seems to be a conspiracy silence and subtle acceptance of Gov. Peter Mba’s “unusual” methods.
Enugu people believe that if a total disconnection with their leader, some painful short notice demolitions without compensation here and there, a sprinkle of tiny painful over taxation, some slightly stringent policies on land use and sales,etc are the prices they have to pay for the development of Enugu State, then they wouldn’t mind as long as there are works being done.
And true to the word, there are works being done across the state and it’s there for all to see.
Whether the works being done are in tandem with the budgetary provisions, FAAC revenue allocations and tax revenue generated, is a topic for another day.
And the truth is, most Enugu people do not really care if you purchased a goat for 50 thousand naira and claimed that it was purchased for 10 million naira. They’re just glad to see that the goat was purchased.
However, what we have not seen is Gov. Peter Mba going after Kidnappers in Enugu State with the same iron fist he has dealt everyone else in Enugu State.
The lion that faced sit at home enforcers squarely and ended it, giving maximum punishment to civil servants who refused to go to work because they were afraid of Unknown Gunmen and forcing traders to open their shops whether they liked it or not, and didn’t flinch even when someone was killed in the same process.
The same lion that imposed taxes on traders, giving them ultimatum to pay and then proceeded to demolish their shops few weeks after they’ve just paid their taxes, and till today, has refused to show his face there, let alone look at the faces of the thousands of displaced traders and compensate them.
An attitude that literally says, “I don’t give f*ck”.
The same lion, when it comes to kidnappers at Opi-Ekwegbe-Ugwogo-Abakpa Nike road, suddenly turns to a squirrel.
In 553 days of Peter Mba’s iron fist rule of Enugu State, Kidnappers along that very road have operated freely with reckless abandon, as though the road was their inheritance for them to rob, kidnap and kill road users at will.
The worst part of it all is that almost all the reported cases happen during the day when all the nearly 15 police/army/vigilantes checkpoints are active.
The cases have even doubled since Gov. Peter Mba sent his Distress Response Squad (DSR) down there.
The kidnappers seem to be looking at Peter Mba eyeball 👀 to eyeball 👀 and telling him, “you can’t do anything to us. Your strong 💪 fist ✊ is only strong enough to deal with poor Enugu traders and civil servants, not criminals”.
If not, how can you explain that high and low profile individuals have been captured and dealt with by the kidnappers, including the Governor’s close friends and allies like his own Campaign DG, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, whom as a matter of fact, had security details and was still attacked.
Poor travelers in public transports are kidnapped daily, rich people in exotic cars are kidnapped too, top politicians and high ranking office holders with security details are kidnapped too.
I would have said that travelers along that road can only depend on the blood of Jesus Christ for protection, but a Reverend father was kidnapped too, just the other day. Even the Api Opi Deity located along that road couldn’t protect her own customers, allowing kidnappers to scare off her customers.
The situation is terrible. One might even assume that the reason Peter Mba himself hasn’t been attacked too on that road is because of his unspoken policy to remain completely unreachable and out of touch with the people he is ruling which has made it possible for him not to use that road frequently.
Gov. Peter Mba’s cluelessness in handling kidnappers colonizing one of the most important roads in the state, a road so important that he himself said he was in a hurry to dualize it and has gone ahead to flag off construction, is proving to us that maybe our strong man in power isn’t really strong after all.
Or at least, not strong enough to protect his friends and his people that made him Governor.
Perhaps, he could be likened to the Proverbial spider web; too strong for the weak, but too weak for the strong.
The Lion has this festive season to prove that he’s not a squirrel 🐿 hiding under the lion’s 🦁 clothing, by ensuring that there is zero kidnap cases along Opi-Ekwegbe-Ugwogo-Abakpa Nike road throughput this Yuletide Season.
It’s time for Peter the Rock to be hard on kidnappers and non-state actors, and be a bit soft on ndi Enugu.
Noting that Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution states that “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” Meaning that if this everyday kidnapping continues, Governor Peter Mba has failed in his primary purpose.
We cannot successfully make Enugu a 30 billion dollar economy if we spend everything we have on paying ransoms to kidnappers, repairing bullet ridden cars and burying dead bodies they left behind.
The “Tomorrow is here” mantra I supported and voted for, is not a tomorrow where I have to be scared of traveling home for Christmas.
Time is of the essence…
Ugwuagbo Emmanuel Chizoba is a Journalist and Scholar based in Enugu.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, secured the final forfeiture of a large estate located in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the FCT High Court granted the order following a forfeiture order filed by the EFCC
In a statement, the spokesperson of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, said the estate, which measures 150,500 square metres and contains 753 units of duplexes and other apartments, is the largest single asset the EFCC has recovered since it was set up in 2003.
The individual who forfeited the property was not mentioned, but Oyewale said it belonged to a “former top brass of the government”.
“The road to the final forfeiture of the property was paved by an interim forfeiture order, secured before the same Judge on November 1, 2024,” he said.
“The government official which fraudulently built the estate is being investigated by the EFCC. The forfeiture of the asset is an important modality of depriving the suspect of the proceeds of the crime.
“In this instance, the Commission relied on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud And Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14, 2006 and Section 44 (2) B of the Constitution of the 199 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to push its case.
“The Establishment Act of the Commission places huge emphasis on asset recovery.”
The EFCC spokesperson said the judge held that the respondent did not show cause as to why he should not lose the property.
Oyewale quoted Ola Olukoyede, EFCC’s chair, as saying that asset recovery is “pivotal in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes and a major disincentive against the corrupt and the fraudulent”.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that President Bola Tinubu has been unwavering in his commitment to press freedom and protection of journalists because of his understanding that a free and responsible press is indispensable to democracy.
Speaking in Owerri, Imo State during the 8th triennial delegate conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, the Minister, represented by the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr Suleiman Haruna, said journalists’ role is indispensable in shaping a society that values transparency, accountability and justice; as they, through their reports, empower citizens with information needed to make informed decisions and hold leaders accountable.
He described the theme of the event, “Media and Democracy: the journalist’s role in holding leaders accountable”, as one at the heart of the collective responsibility to build and sustain a thriving democracy, noting that holding leaders accountable demands courage, integrity and professionalism.
The Minister said democracy, as being practiced in Nigeria, thrives on transparency, accountability and citizen participation, adding that promoting media literacy will help to foster a more discerning audience and strengthen the role of journalism in nation-building.
Leader of the Autopilot militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the promoter of the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA), Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland for alleged terrorism-related activities, is scheduled to face charges in May 2025 potentially, according to Finnish authorities.
A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, confirmed to The PUNCH via email on Tuesday that the district court had set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to present possible charges against Ekpa.
The Finnish government had last week announced the arrest of Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
Finnish Police confirmed that Ekpa, described as the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile (BGIE), allegedly used social media to promote violence in the South East region of Nigeria, targeting civilians and authorities.
According to local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The publication reported that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement last Thursday, noting that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.
Giving an update on the case in response to The PUNCH enquiries, detective Laaksonen noted that the investigation was ongoing, and no further details could be disclosed.
Asked when Ekpa’s case would come up in court, he replied: “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be disclosed.
“The date for bringing up possible charges by the prosecution was set by the district court to May 2025.”
He noted that Ekpa and the Finnish authorities may request a re-evaluation after two weeks.
“In a basic situation regarding the remand, the next possible hearing can be held no earlier than two weeks from the previous hearing, should the parties in question seek for the matter to be re-evaluated by the district court,” Laaksonen explained.
The case has drawn significant international attention, with Finnish authorities confirming that cross-border cooperation is integral to the investigation.
However, officials have refrained from providing further information about the nature or extent of the international collaboration.
“International cooperation is part of the investigation due to the nature of the case but no further comments can be given on the subject at this point,” the NBI stated.
Ekpa gained notoriety for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which led to violent enforcement measures and attacks on residents.
He was first arrested in February 2023 for inciting violence and issuing sit-at-home orders to Igbos and other South-East residents.
The suspect’s activities prompted global petitions from Nigerians urging the Finnish and Nigerian governments, as well as the European Union, to take action.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, to demand Finland’s cooperation in addressing the threats posed by Ekpa.
Last Thursday, the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered that Ekpa be imprisoned “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, was accused of inciting crimes with terrorist intent, while the other suspects face charges of financing terrorism.
As a prominent figure in the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, he has championed a controversial call for an independent Biafran State.
His rhetoric escalated in recent years, with explicit endorsements of violence and disruptions to Nigerian elections.
Finnish authorities have linked Ekpa to coordinated attacks targeting civilians and the security forces, with investigations tracing some of these activities back to 2021.
His use of social media as a platform for incitement and fundraising is a central element of the case.
The sit-at-home orders enforced by the ESN had caused devastating economic consequences in the South-East.
According to reports, the region has lost over ₦4trn in two years due to these activities and the resulting insecurity.
On the heels of Ekpa’s detention, the Federal Government said it would monitor the legal proceedings in Finland.
In a statement by the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Friday, the government described Ekpa’s arrest as a critical step in addressing IPOB’s activities and mitigating the influence of transnational actors on Nigeria’s national security.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the arrest of Mr Simon Ekpa is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB and also neutralising the influence of transnational actors on our national security.
“The Ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,” the statement read.
Checks revealed that his X handle (@simon_ekpa) had been inactive for seven days.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has hailed the arrest of Ekpa in Finland as a significant step toward curbing violence in the South-East.
Abaribe, who spoke in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, expressed hope that Ekpa’s detention would discourage those instigating unrest in the region.
Abaribe accused Ekpa and his followers of exploiting the Biafra agitation to perpetrate crimes, deviating from the peaceful ideals of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
“The arrest of Simon Ekpa is something that is very welcome because this will tell all those people at home, who are purveyors of violence and instigated by Simon Ekpa that he actually said that he is just a content creator and not a serious person,” he said.
It is the turn of River State to produce the next Ohanaeze President – General come January 2025. In the press statement released and signed by the Spokesman of Biafra De Facto Customary Government- Comrade Prosper Odinga , ndigbo should ensure that equity ,fairness and justice are pursued in the selection of next Ohanaeze PG. The full statement reads ”The reality of life is clear: decades after the end of the Nigeria-Biafra conflict, which culminated in historical revisionism among other issues, Mba-Miri has risen to reclaim their Igbo heritage.
The Biafra De Facto Customary Government (BDFCG) unequivocally supports the candidacy of any distinguished Igbo personality from Rivers State for the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in January 2025.
BDFCG recognizes the wealth of distinguished Igbo leaders in Rivers State who can credibly serve the interests of Ndigbo.
Among these outstanding figures is Dimm Uchechukwu Nnam Okwukwu, who has previously served Ohanaeze Ndigbo in various capacities, including as Secretary-General under the administration of Chief Nnia Nwodo. The ascension of Dimm Uchechukwu Nnam Okwukwu to the office of Ohanaeze President-General would unify and cement the collective aspirations of our human legacy and heritage. His emergence at this critical juncture offers an unparalleled opportunity to heal divisions, foster reconciliation, and reinforce the bonds of brotherhood that unite all Igbo-speaking peoples, regardless of geographical boundaries.
It is disheartening to witness attempts by certain fifth columnists to undermine this historic moment by questioning the Igboness of the Rivers Igbo. Such divisive narratives, orchestrated by individuals and groups seeking to derail the constitutional rotation of Ohanaeze leadership, are a direct affront to the principles of fairness and the shared heritage of the Igbo nation. These actions perpetuate disunity and weaken the collective strength of the Igbo people both within Nigeria and beyond.
The Rivers Igbo, an integral part of the Igbo heritage, have made undeniable contributions to the political, cultural, and economic advancement of our people. Denying them their rightful turn to lead Ohanaeze Ndigbo not only violates the organization’s constitution but also risks alienating a vital component of our collective identity.
The BDFCG calls on all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political leaders, and civil society groups within Ndigbo, to uphold the principles of justice and inclusivity. We urge Ohanaeze Ndigbo to resist external pressures and reaffirm its commitment to rotational leadership, ensuring that all Igbo-speaking communities are represented and given the opportunity to lead.
As we approach January 2025, let us remain steadfast in our pursuit of unity. We must reject divisive rhetoric and work together to strengthen the bonds that tie us as one people. Supporting Uche Okwukwu’s candidacy is not just a step toward honoring constitutional fairness; it is a bold statement of solidarity and a commitment to reuniting the Igbo family.
The Biafra De Facto Customary Government firmly stands behind Uche Okwukwu and the Rivers Igbo in this noble quest. Together, we shall overcome all challenges and build a future where unity, equity, and justice reign supreme in Igbo land”
