The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu may lose his British Citizenship as the his group has now been designated a Terrorist Organization by the British Government.
The United Kingdom, on Thursday, finally accepted Nigeria’s classification of the group as a terrorist organisation.
This is following widespread killings and acts of lawlessness in the south-east regions by individuals/members loyal to the group. Initially the UK did not recognise the Nigerian government’s classification of the group until recently, exactly 4 days after the gruesome murder of a military couple in Imo state.
POLITICS NIGERIA recalls that the outlawed group beheaded an army couple, who were on their way to Imo State for their traditional wedding.
The British government has also ordered for the group’s exclusion from its asylum programme.
“IPOB is proscribed as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government, and members of the group and its paramilitary wing – the Eastern Security Network (created in December 2020) – have reportedly committed human rights violations in Nigeria.”
“If a person has been involved with IPOB (and/or an affiliated group), MASSOB or any other ‘Biafran’ group that incites or uses violence to achieve its aims, decision makers must consider whether one (or more) of the exclusion clauses under the Refugee Convention is applicable.”
“Persons who commit human rights violations must not be granted asylum.” the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) posted on its website.
Under UK law, is used against those who obtained citizenship by fraud and against the most dangerous people, such as terrorists, extremists and serious organised criminals.
President Muhammadu Buhari has reject the request by Igbo leaders for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, insisting that the latter must defend himself in court.
On Friday, traditional, religious and political leaders from the South-East made the appeal when they met with Mr Buhari at a Town Hall meeting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi.
President Buhari was on a two-day working visit to Ebonyi State for project inaugurations and interface with the South-East leaders where he commissioned life-touching projects in the state on Thursday.
But Mr Buhari refused the appeal by the south east leaders said, “I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding a wide range of options. As I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.”
Recall that in November 2021, a delegation of Igbo leaders, led by respected 93-year-old First Republic minister Mbazulike Amaechi, visited Mr Buhari at the State House Abuja to plead for the release of Mr Kanu.
The president told them that he would “think” about the “extremely difficult demand” the South-East leaders had placed on him.
Buhari also frowned at the brutal activities of terrorists in the South-East and other parts of the country saying that his administration is still committed to protecting and defending innocent citizens from those bent on causing breakdown of law and order across the country.
The president expressed worry over the rising case of insecurity in the region, adding that his directive to security agencies to flush out those perpetrating violence in the land.
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi, who appreciated the president for his visit to Ebonyi, reiterated his position for a political solution to the Nnamdi Kanu dilemma.
Others who spoke at the event including the Chairman, South East Traditional Rulers, Eze Charles Mkpumah and the Chairman, Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), South-East, Rev. Abraham Nwali, appealed for the release of Kanu.
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently holding a meeting with Ohanézè Ndígbo and other leaders of the Southeast, in Ebonyi state.
The meeting is holding at the New Exco Chambers, Government House Abakaliki.
President-General of Ohanézè George Obiozor led other members of the apex socio-cultural group to the meeting which is also being attended by Governor David Umahi, who is the Chairman of Southeast Governors forum.
Some of the issues Ohanézè is expected to table about the region to Buhari are the release of Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
Other issues expected to be discussed include president of southeast extraction and security situation in the region.
Every visit to Onitsha leaves one with interesting insights. Some good, and some others bad. As a melting pot of Igbo commercial ingenuity, Onitsha is strategic, not just to ndị Anambra, but to Ndị Igbo.
Sadly, our dear Onitsha is dead!
Killed by the twin evil of social recklessness and laxity in law enforcement. Like the carcass in Ezekiel’s prophecy, I believe these “dry bones shall rise again”. For this to happen though, I held an interactive session today with Landlords in Onitsha – inland town and adjoining conurbations.
A lot was said, and my team and I took copious notes. However, the exciting take-away from today’s meeting is that the people are hopeful and willing to become progressive partners in the arduous task of resurrecting Onitsha.
Truth is, the “nwa otu” Spirit of Onitsha is undying. And this same spirit resonates in the homegrown solutions that were debated in the hall today.
There is new Onitsha sprouting along the banks of Nkisi and spreading into Akpaka and Nkwele. However chaotic this evolving Onitsha appears, it feels more like an important vital sign that gives credence to the fact that Onitsha isn’t beyond redemption.
Governor Soludo has continued to deepen civic engagements in a bid to drum home the initiatives and policy thrusts of his administration.
The governor today, 4th May, 2022, held a strategic meeting with landlords in Onitsha at Sharon House by All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Onitsha.
Landlords from Omagba Phases One and Two, GRA Onitsha Zone, Housing Estate, American Quarters, Trans-Nkisi, among many others, participated in the meeting.
The governor explained that the visit is in line with the mantra of “be your brothers’ keeper’, saying that it is to dialogue on how best to reclaim Onitsha, starting from the contributions of the landlords.
While describing Onitsha City as ‘dead’, the Professor Soludo stressed that everyone has one critical role or the other to play, and recalled that Onitsha was once reputed to be housing the largest market in West Africa, which is sadly no longer the case, as New businesses and investments are now tilting toward neighbouring states.
He emphasized that a verifiable estimate shows that thirty-five to fourty percent of the productive assets in Onitsha are evacuating, noting that landlords will benefit the most from the engagement because the value of their assets will increase eventually.
This, he noted, is the reality of the situation his administration committed to turn around into a smart megacity, as Onitsha has advanced into a metropolis.
Members of the State Executive Council, member representing Onitsha North, Constituency Two, Honourable Eddy Ibuzo, his Onitsha South One counterpart, Honourable Uzoma Eli, the National President Of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, Barrister Titus Akpudo, among others also attended thr event.
For details of the event and other government activities, join the program, “Anambra Government House Diary” with Ejike Abana (ABS Government House Correspondent), On ABS 88.5fm, Mondays-Fridays, 6:05 and 5:30pm Daily.
Anambra State Government has re-commenced moves to construct an international drug market in Oba, Idemili South Local Aovernment Area.
A joint enforcement team, comprising the state’s ministry of health and officials of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, visited the location for on-the-spot assessment and site evaluation.
Anambra State is as one of the four states benefitting from the project alongside, Kano, Abia and Lagos, with works in the other three states almost at different completion stages.
Unfortunately, the project was unable to take off in Anambra due to bottlenecks which included but not limited to encroachment by illegal developers.
According to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, Governor Soludo’s administration has vested interest in the project which he described as a world standard market, pointing out that the visit was to ascertain if the the project and its location meet international requirement.
Dr Obidike added that the governor communicated his clear directives to them regarding his position on the project, revealing that the move will reduce the influx of adulterated and low quality drugs into Anambra homes and health facilities.
The Chairman of Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe who recalled that the project had been in the pipeline for a very long time, revealed that it had been approved by the federal government, from the Physical Society of Nigeria, to build a world class drug market designated for Oba.
Barrister Maduekwe noted that the governor’s directive was among other things, to issue notice to illegal occupants which they have done, advising individuals who have issues to come forward and show their interest as the governor is deeply committed to moving the project forward.
While stating the imperativeness of controlling the environment where drugs are sold, he however disclosed that the land was acquired by Asset Management Corperation of Nigeria, AMCON, and that those who acquired it are willing to go ahead with the project.
On his part, the Managing Director of Anambra Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, Dr Ifedirora Amobi, stressed that the investment potential of the market is enormous, adding that besides delivery of services to the people of Anambra State, one of the things it will do is that Anambra’s IGR will increase.
He noted that the present administration should have a good return on investment for every project that comes into the state, expressing optimism that on completion, the market will be more structured, organized and controlled.
Ongoing illegal projects on site were sealed off and eviction notices served to owners.
In keeping faith with the Peoples’ Manifesto to continuously engage the people on regular basis , Prof Soludo has met with cross section of Anambra people to intimate them on what he plans to do next.
This is what Soludo told the people ”Today, I interacted with community leaders – women, youths and traditional rulers.
Part of the agenda was firstly, to intimate them with our programs and seek their collaboration in the ongoing fight against criminality. We agreed on the need to reform the laws establishing the town union administration as a way of addressing the various problems plaguing the system.
Anambra has a development trajectory, anchored on the Town Union system as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for accomplishing any initiative targeted at the people. We are also a Society with a bulge of youthful population, with our very respected Traditional Rulers as the Chief Security Officers of various Communities.
When you have these groups of people under one roof, it is almost taken for granted that every household is represented. This is why we have decided to continue the “Community Choose Your Project” initiative established by my Predecessor. This time, we would ensure greater participation of stakeholders in all communities in this process, and also increase the funding.
As part of our “Regenerative Agricultural” program, we have requested community leaders to liase with their people to provide Lands for the first batch of our Palm Tree revolution. This first batch shall see the distribution of about one million improved palm seedlings, and other economic trees.
Our mandate is of and by the people. We owe them every explanation for all our actions, and to them will our commitment be. Where this is not so, we may as well be relapsing to a fascist regime.
This was a fruitful outing, more of it will come all through the life span of this administration.
I will make this writeup commentary very brief, simple and direct to the point. And it should serve as wake-up-call for security details of serious topmost Igbo leaders at this moment in time.
In view of very dangerous time we are in at the moment, and the very dangerous Rubicon we the Igbos in particular are getting ready to cross, all serious Igbo political leaders need special 24 hours security arrangements anywhere in the world, and most especially in Nigeria.
Particularly, this God’s gift to Anambra State in the person of enigmatic Gov. Prof. C. C. Soludo; followed by The Rock (Okwute), former governor of Anambra State and current front-runner for the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Peter Obi. Yes, among all the candidates who have declared so far, Peter Obi is the current front-runner!
I have seen videos of their outings recently, videos of their attendance at political gatherings, social gatherings, socio-political gatherings, the overwhelming crowds of people, which clearly overwhelm their current security details. And most likely the crowd will continue to increase as time goes on, and there is nothing ANYONE can do to reduce it. 250 million Nigerians of all tribes and religions are hungry for good leaders, are yearning for good leaders, and there is no doubt they think or know they have found some. That’s the reason for the crowd and they are bound to increase and nothing will stop this fact.
CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGERS
Inside these crowd at every events and gatherings (political, social and socio-political) lay serious CLEAR & PRESENT DANGERS. And the truth is: there is nothing current security arrangements of these leaders could do about the CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGERS.
*SOLUTION: STATE OF THE ART HITECH PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS*
There is VERY URGENT NEED FOR BETTER SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS for these God’s gift to Igboland in particular and Nigeria in general.
1). PopeMobile type bulletproof vehicles for all events and gatherings.
2). Presidential-type security personnel protection arrangements for all events and gatherings.
3). Security surveillance helicopters, with hitech communication equipments for all events and gatherings.
4). Strategic implementation of security movement protocols, 3 to 4 hours advance party surveillance team for every events and gatherings.
5). Applications of hitech security sweep for metals and lead for all events and gatherings.
6). CCTV Cameras covering every nooks and corners of events venue, routes, etc.
7). Special security dogs, horses, etc.
8). Security drones, robots, etc.
9). Etc, etc.
Gov. Prof. C. C. Soludo, Mr. Peter Obi, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (DG WTO) and their likes will still remain populist while keeping air-tight security arrangements. Security experts know how to balance both.
In times like this, i miss Prof. Dr. Alison Anadi, US-trained and based foremost criminologist, the former President of ASA-USA, an internationally recognized expert on security matters. This area is his specialty. He could pull together the best state-of-the-art global security resources to bear on this matter. We need many Dr. Alison Anadi very urgently, NOW!
About serious Igbo political leaders need for better security, there is this popular Igbo proverb which English interpretation is:
“The kite is never happy whenever he/she sees the graceful posture of the eagle.”
With Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at WTO, Peter Obi at Aso Rock, and C. C. Soludo at Gov. House Awka: this is ‘Penicillin 500 miligram’ we the progressives believe Nigeria need at this time.
This is the moment we all yearn for, long for, work hard for, pray for, and some never believe will ever come. But it has come in our time.
Let us, all Nigerians, take ownership of this moment, and let us all protect it. This is our chance to push, to cross the Rubicon and change Nigeria dilemma forever!
Bonaventure Ezekwenna
B. A. Political Science
Herbert H. Lehman College
City University of New York
LGovernor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has declared that his administration will support a proposal by a British firm, HP Kapital Limited, to partner the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) to build a 500-bed University Hospital, three factories, a waste management plant and other facilities within the vicinity of the Adoration Centre, in Enugu.
Gov. Ugwuanyi, who spoke when the Spiritual Director of AMEN, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, led the Group Chairman of HP Kapital Limited, Nandishwar Kaushal and his team to visit him, at the Government House, Enugu, said the State government will do all that is required, considering its limited resources, to assist and ensure that the laudable project succeeds.
The delegation visited Gov. Ugwuanyi to formally inform him of their remodeling plan for the Adoration Centre to serve as a multifunctional facility to include a University Hospital of international standard with specialized medical services such as a helipad and air ambulance, a five star hotel, recreation facility and convention centre, among others.
Requesting for land for the project, the delegation also informed the Governor of their plan to build an energy plant to manage waste and convert it to wealth.
They equally said they will build three factories that would employ 600 people locally, who will be trained by 40 engineers to be trained abroad, among other inherent benefits to the state and the local community.
Speaking further, Gov. Ugwuanyi expressed delight at the project action plan which was in line with the accomplishments of his administration in creating jobs for the youth and providing qualitative and affordable healthcare services to residents of the state, including the rural dwellers.
The Governor, who noted that Fr. Mbaka has paid his dues, stressed that his administration will continue to support and encourage any venture that would create jobs and add value to the economy of the state and the living standard of the people.
“I want to assure and reassure you that the Enugu State Government will do all that is required, giving our limited resources, to assist you”, he said.
Earlier in his presentation, the Group Chairman of HP Kapital Limited, Kaushal, informed Gov. Ugwuanyi the University Hospital will be affiliated with “your University here (ESUT) and AU University in Britain”, adding that “the degrees that will be issued will be in collaboration with your University and AU British University”.
He disclosed that the company hopes to have an initial strength of 7,500 students in a number of different Curriculums, “not only medicine”, explaining further that “the staff accommodation is going to be 2,500 people” locally and internationally.
On corporate social responsibility, the chairman stated that they will help the needy and the less privileged, revealing that “10 percent of all beds, no matter the cost of the bill, we will treat those patients for free so far those persons are registered citizens of Enugu State”.
Corroborating, Fr. Mbaka thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his fatherly support, pointing out that it would be a thing of joy “the generation to come will know that this project came to be in Gburugburu’s (Gov. Ugwuany’s) time”.
The AMEN Spiritual Director maintained that the project is coming to Enugu State because of the existing peace and the enabling environment provided by the governor.
According to him, “The HP Kapital Limited is not just coming as a mono entrepreneurial team; we are partnering with them. It is a holistic partnership between them and Adoration Ministry. All you have suggested are in tandem with our vision and mission. More so when you talked about the charitable dimension and how this will be beneficial to the inherent resident community; it is part and parcel of our dream”.
Fr. Mbaka prayed for the timely commencement and successful completion of the project, and assured Gov. Ugwuanyi of their collective commitment and determination to ensure that he inaugurates some of the projects before the end of his administration.
“Your Excellency, by the time you are not in the office as a Governor of Enugu State, there are a lot of things for which you should be remembered for. And I pray that among all the credible, multiple, pragmatic, and demonstrated developments, one of them should be this project we have come with today”, he said.
Unknown Gunmen terrorising Southeast Nigerian have in an audio confession claimed responsibility of the death of A.M Linus, a sergeant first class in the army and his lance corporal wife.
The couple were shot and beheaded on Saturday by the gunmen.
It’s quite unfortunate that it has come to this way, I killed them already. Have you heard of unknown gunmen before? Do you see how soldiers are killing innocent people because of unknown gunmen? Yah, that’s why I caught them yesterday and I killed them,” one of the gunmen was heard telling the woman’s friend via a phone conversation.
A gory video of the incident circulating online showed the gunmen putting the heads on the victims’ chests after beheading them.
It’s so sad that we soldiers are no safer, the man was a member of the 19 regular intakes while the wife was of the 79RI.
They were said to be on their way to State on Saturday when the incident happened. You won’t believe these gunmen as we speak still used their phones to make calls to their family members, making jest of them and threatening to kill them as well.
This couple just married recently, even their photo shoot caused a lot of criticisms and seems they were punished for it. Though the man is married to another woman with grown-up kids, he suddenly eloped with this young soldier; I was told the girl also had kids before joining the army as well.
“The man still has a father; his brother is also a soldier working at a battalion in Kaduna. The lady was also raped before they were beheaded,” a soldier had told SaharaReporters.
