South East Leaders Ask Buhari To Release Nnamdi Kanu

November 2, 2021

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE SOUTH EAST COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF IGBO ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS

Gentlemen of the Press,

1. We, the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, note with deep concern the high level of insecurity and socio-economic disruption in the South East Zone of Nigeria. This has deepened the hardships being faced by the citizens and rendered prostrate the socio-political and economic lives of our people.

2. Flowing from similar initiatives taken to bring peace to other troubled parts of the country, we urge the Federal Government and other stakeholders to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues that threaten national unity, cohesion and development.

3. Accordingly, we refer to our earlier request for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops and restate this call even more strongly. We are of the firm belief that this act of courage and statesmanship is not only imperative but will speedily de-escalate the heightened state of insecurity and dislocation in the South East Zone.

4. We also urge President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Federal Government to take immediate steps to de-proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and release all IPOB members being held in various detention facilities in Nigeria.

5. We call on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the South East Zone, moreso as it has become apparent that a continued military siege on the region can only lead to heightened tension, skirmishes and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths. It has become urgent, imperative and compelling to de-emphasize the military option and move towards finding a political solution that will lead to sustainable peace.

6. We assert that heightened inequality and marginalization remain at the core of youth restiveness in our region. We urge our apex National Leadership to note that until it takes deliberate steps to run government on the basis of fairness, equity, justice and non-discrimination, this restiveness is likely to continue.
We shall respectfully seek audience with Mr President to discuss these issues in exploring political solution and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

7. On our part, we assure our youths that we have heard their cries of marginalization, injustice and longsuffering. As concerned parents, we feel your pain. However, we urge you to de-escalate the tension and remain law-abiding to enable us to engage especially the Federal Government in finding a lasting solution to the crises.

8. Consistent with the above, we urge IPOB not to do anything that would hinder or be seen to be hindering the smooth running of the forthcoming Governorship Election in Anambra State and to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people.

9. Finally, we call on all the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election to eschew violence and commit to free, fair and credible election.

Signed:

H.M. Igwe Charles Mkpuma
Chairman,
Ebonyi State Trad. Rulers Council &
Chairman,
South East Council of Traditional Rulers.

H.M. Eze Joseph N. Nwabeke
Chairman,
Abia State Trad. Rulers Council

H.M. Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR
Chairman,
Anambra State Trad. Rulers Council

H.M. Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu, OON
Chairman,
Enugu State Trad. Rulers Council

H.M. Eze Dr. E. C. Okeke
Chairman,
Imo State Trad. Rulers Council

Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna
Catholic Archbishop of Owerri

Most Rev. Dr Emmanuel O. Chukwuma, OON
Anglican Archbishop of Enugu

Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo R. Opoko, TFG, DOB, JP
Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia

Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke
Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha

Most Rev. Dr Uma A. Onwunta
Past Principal Clerk Presbyterian Church Nigeria

Bishop Obi Onubogu
Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria

Rev. Dr. Abraham Nwali
Chairman, CAN, South East Zone

Army Kills ‘Biafran National Guard’ Commander

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October 29, 2021

Nigerian troops conducting Exercise GOLDEN DAWN have killed one of the Biafran National Guard gunmen who attacked troops’ location at Amaekpu, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State on Thursday.

The killing of the commander whole identity couldn’t be ascertained as at the time of this report was contained in a statement by the spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu.

“The assailants, who were heavily armed and conveyed in several vehicles opened fire on the troops’ location, but were met with stiff resistance by the troops,” Mr Nwachukwu, a brigadier-general, said.

“In the encounter, the troops neutralized one gunman, while others abandoned their vehicles and retreated in disarray with gunshot wounds. The troops also recovered a pump action gun, among others.

“While the criminals withdrew, having been overwhelmed, they were promptly intercepted at Eda by troops of Forward Operating Base Ohaozara in Ebonyi State.

“The troops recovered additional three vehicles and apprehended one of the Bandits.

The group have been seen on several videos trending online threatening to declare Biafra on the 30th of October warning that they have acquired the necessary training in Israel and ready for combat.

Source : Journalist 101

Ngozi Iweala’s Son Breaks Medical Record

Queen Madu

October 28, 2021

Dr. Uchechi Iweala, son of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, has broken a medical record in Maryland, United States.

On Thursday, the WTO boss announced that her son was one of the first spinal surgeons in Maryland to perform a successful navigated lumbar spinal fusion using a robot.

The proud mother took to her Twitter account to share the good news, as she congratulated and encouraged her son on his medical feat.

Sharing pictures from the operation, she wrote, “Congratulations Dr. Uchechi Iweala, on being one of the first spinal surgeons in Maryland to perform a successful navigated lumbar spinal fusion using a robot! So proud to be your Mum! Keep it going!”

According to the Center for Advanced Orthopeadics, Dr. Iweala is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in spine surgery.

The doctor earned his Bachelor’s and Masters Degrees from Harvard and completed his residency training in orthopaedic surgery at George Washington University. Furthermore, Dr. Iweala completed a fellowship in spine surgery at New York University.

He majors in Robotic Spine Surgery, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Cervical and Lumbar Disc Replacement, Spinal Fusion/Arthrodesis, Nerve Releases, etc.

(Punch)

APC Led FGN Set To Rig Anambra Election With Tradermoni

bvichannel1

October 28, 2021

With 9 Days to the Anambra governorship election, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has begun cash distribution to residents in the state.

In 2018, the same strategy of exploiting people’s poverty and widespread hunger distributing cash to residents days to the Osun governorship election, choosing the period to launch TraderMoni as it appeared the ruling APC might lose to PDP.

Mr Buhari’s regime, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, announced it had resumed payment of the Conditional Cash Transfer to 15,768 vulnerable households in Anambra.

Ralph Enukorah, the Anambra State Cash Office, said the beneficiaries cut across 11 of the 21 local government areas.

Mr Enukorah disclosed that the payments started with six pilot local government areas considered poorest in the state, including Awka North, Anambra West, Dunukofia, Ihiala, Anyamelum and Orumba South.

He added that the government had extended cash distribution to Awka South, Onitsha North, Ogbaru, Nnewi North and Anambra East.

The unit head said the register of beneficiaries was generated by a sister organisation, the social operations coordinating unit, which goes to villages and wards to generate data on vulnerable households.

He said the payment was made every two months, with beneficiaries getting N10,000 in addition to any arrears for those not paid in previous months.

“The federal government is paying the beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer, as a social intervention programme of the Buhari administration,” the official explained. “Every month, the poor and vulnerable households are paid N5,000, and in Anambra, we have a total of 15,768 beneficiaries spread across 11 local government areas.”

In the buildup to the Osun election, Mr Buhari’s regime launched the TraderMoni scheme, with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo spearheading the event.

Former education minister Oby Ezekwesili had accused the regime of corrupting the election via the TraderMoni launch in Osun.

“The federal government either failed to be ethically circumspect or, in fact, deliberately decided to corrupt the elections in Osun by handing out cash to traders just before the state elections,” Ms Ezekwesili had tweeted. “Such behaviour after the grand corrupting of voters in Ekiti is act of irresponsibility ”

The APC went on to win the contentious election, initially declared inconclusive by INEC. Before the rerun, the PDP candidate Isiaka Adeleke was leading the poll. Gboyega Oyegbola of the APC was declared the eventual winner.

Regarding the resumed cash distribution, Bernard Nwobodo, the Payment Service Provided (PSP) representative, said the system was automated to reduce the stress of beneficiaries collecting the cash.

Mr Nwobodo added that the National Cash Transfer Office had begun digitalising the payment process allowing beneficiaries to use ATM cards to collect the cash.

He added that the process had been activated in some LGAs, including Ihiala, Awka North, Orumba South, and will be extended to others.

“When these cards are activated, the beneficiaries can access the money through the bank ATM and other financial services providers for easy withdrawal of their money upon verification,” he said.

Source : Jounalist101

Starving North Koreans to Eat Less Food Until 2025 – Kim Jong Un

Queen Madu

October 28, 2021

North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un has reportedly ordered its citizens to eat less food until the country re-opens its border with China in 2025, IgbereTV reports.

Food shortages are already affecting North Koreans, but citizens were told to tighten their belts for at least another three years by officials, according to RFA.

However, people have already complained that shortages would make it difficult to see themselves through the winter, let alone multiple years.

North Korea closed its border with China in January 2020 as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus. But the move has had a serious impact on the nation’s economy with prices of everyday goods rising sharply as demand outstripped supply.

Speaking about the new government guidance, a resident of the city Sinuiju, who wished to remain anonymous, said that people have been warned that the chances of re-opening the border with China before 2025 were slim.

(IgbereTV)

Video: GGM Empowering Biafrans : A Must Watch

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October 28, 2021

IPOB Indirectly Working With FG To Install Anambra Governor – Asari

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October 28, 2021

Niger Delta activist, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, has warned that the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is working to enthrone the candidate of the Federal Government in the upcoming Anambra election by issuing a sit-at-home order.

IPOB had threatened to declare a one week sit-at-home in South East states beginning from November 5th if their leader, Nnamdi Kanu isn’t released by the FG.

But Asari who’s also a Biafra activist maintained that the order will disenfranchise Anambra residents which will come with consequences and will “effectively enthrone whichever candidate that Abuja prefers over Anambrarians.”

He gave the warning about IPOB via the official Facebook page of his Non-governmental organization, the Dokubo Asari Foundation

“It has come to my attention that the DOS of IPOB has broadcasted a one-week Sit-at-home order in Igboland (as part of Biafra) starting from November 5.

“It is public knowledge that the Gubernatorial Elections of Anambra State of Igboland are slated to take place on November 6.

“It is therefore unequivocal that IPOB through its Sit-at-home order targets to disenfranchise Anambrarians from the Anambra Elections, from choosing their next Governor.

“Let it be known that with this order, IPOB is effectively enthroning whichever candidate that Abuja prefers over Anambrarians. Let it be absolutely and clearly known to Ndiigbo that IPOB should be held singularly responsible for installing a puppet upon Anambra State, the Light of the Nation.

“As offshoot from above, NDIIGBO should start drawing conclusions about the ultimate goals and targets of IPOB.

“Naked facts abound that activities of IPOB have systematically created excuses (flimsy or otherwise) for handing Igboland over to the Military Forces of Abuja for occupation starting 2017. The reckless activities of IPOB today in view of the Anambra elections will now institutionalize the occupation of Anambra via the ballot box. NDIIGBO, be informed before it happens.”

INEC Should Have Rejected Andy Uba Long Ago, Say Civil Society Organizations

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October 28, 2021

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should have rejected Senator Andy Uba as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 6 gubernatorial election in Anambra State long before the October 7 deadline for the change of candidates in the vote, according to the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CCSOs) in the state.

The early rejection, explained the coalition, would have enabled the APC to validly nominate a candidate who could participate in the election.

“As things stand today, the APC has no candidate in the election because Uba’s candidature is built on nothing and nothing built on anything can stand”, the CCSOs argued today in a statement in Awka by its President, Comrade Obiora Ezechukwu, and the Public Affairs and Social Mobilization Director, Dr Vincent Obiatuegwu.

The coalition was reacting to a statement by the Soludo Solidarity Group, one of the 34 groups supporting the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, which had two days ago praised INEC for maintaining what it called absolute neutrality in the Anambra election despite spirited efforts by Uba to compromise its leadership.

“A more neutral and independent electoral commission would have declined Uba’s candidature”, they declared.

The civil society organizations in Anambra State insisted that INEC should not have accepted the controversial former senator in the first place since it is convinced that there was no congress or primary election which any person, including Uba, could have won.

INEC has avowed in its official report that no congress or primary election took place on June 26, contrary to the Electoral Act which provides that INEC attend, monitor and report the proceedings.

The coalition described as bizarre the purported 320,405 votes attributed to Uba in the primary election because “there are not up to 20,000 APC members in Anambra State where President Muhammadu Buhari scored a mere five per cent in 2019, his poorest showing in any state of the federation during the last general election”.

On the suggestion that INEC could not have rejected Uba’s candidacy because the judiciary has ruled that it has no power to disqualify a candidate in an election, the coalition argued that the commission should have gone to court to demand a rejection of Uba’s candidature the moment the APC leadership submitted his name as the nominee for the November 6 election.

The civil society organizations described as very unintelligent the argument by the Andy Uba Gubernatorial Campaign Council that the nomination of a candidate for an election is the exclusive preserve of each party which does not require INEC’s involvement in any way, querying “why does the Electoral Act provide for a key role for the electoral commission in the first place?”

The civil societies considered APC’s predicament in Anambra State “more catastrophic” than the party’s situation in Rivers and Zamfara states during the 2019 general election which resulted in the courts declaring that the APC had no candidates in these states.

Chief George Moghalu, the National Inland Waterways Authority chief executive and one of the 14 aspirants who sought the APC gubernatorial ticket last June 26, is in court asking it to disqualify it from the Anambra gubernatorial race on the ground that it has no validly nominated candidate.

The civil societies reemphasized its adoption of Professor Soludo as their candidate because “he is far the very best in the race”.

Anambra 21:Election Must Hold In Anambra —Asari Biafra Customary Government counters

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October 28, 2021

Calls on Nigeria govt to immediately Withdraw forces from Igboland

Describes as criminal violent enforcement of sit-at-home

The De Factor Customary Government of Biafra, on Tuesday, said November 6, 2021 Governorship election of Anambra State, must hold as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The Head of Information and Communication, Uche Okafor-Mefor, disclosed this in a statement obtained by Vanguard in Owerri.
They said those instigating violence to stop the election was engaging in a counter-productive mission that would deny the people of the State from voting and protecting their votes for their preferred choice as governor of Anambra State.

Also, the De facto Biafra Customary Government said it was against the use of violence to force the people of the Southeast Zone to obey the sit-at-home order adding that such action was criminal.
Just as they demanded the federal government should immediately withdraw their security forces deployed to the South East region, pointing out that the use of violent approach against the Igbos would no longer be acceptable.

According to the De Facto Biafra Customary Court as captured by Vanguard, “In the light of the complex developments, hydra-headed security challenges and other sundry issues adversely affecting the indigenous civilian populations lumped up together against their will in Nigeria, the De Facto Customary.
The government of Biafra hereby declares as follows; the hydra-headed government believes absolutely in the sanctity of human life – the protection of lives in the Biafran territory – and therefore condemns in no uncertain terms the ongoing wanton destruction of lives and properties in Biafraland by both state and non-state actors irrespective of their motives.

“That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra extols the democratic ethos for which Biafrans are known and as such declares support for the people of Biafra to exercise their democratic rights to vote and be voted for in Biafraland in the current and future elections.”
On the Anambra governorship election, “That in line with this pronouncement, the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra affirms that elections in Anambra State and elsewhere in Biafraland must hold by the extant laws; that any boycott of the Anambra elections and others elsewhere remains fruitless, counterproductive and would be incapable of invalidating the electoral process because a winner must emerge eventually by the circumstances strongly urged to go out and vote for the preferred candidates of their choices.
“That the continued violent campaign for the boycott of elections and other ancillary unethical conducts which are inimical to the advancement of the Biafran cause are subsequently frowned at and as such must be discouraged forthwith.
“That the proponents of this self-annihilating strategy must be reminded that in reality, the best way to be in control of political power is by engaging and by going through the democratic process itself or they will otherwise and in effect be aiding and abating the same Fulani-controlled Nigerian state to all the more heavily militarise Biafraland, impose a state of emergency, kill more Biafrans, ultimately rig the elections and fraudulently install their stooges.”
Just as the group condemned alleged violence against the people of the Southeast region saying: “That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra further condemns without any equivocation the associated systematic subject on of Biafrans to torture and the targeted assassination of Biafrans on Biafran soil. These are heinous conducts against the laws of the land and prohibited as atrocious crimes by the international community.
“That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra calls on the Nigerian government to withdraw her forces from the Biafran territory forthwith and to arrest and bring to justice all her security personnel implicated in the commission of crimes against humanity, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in Biafraland.
“That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra opposes and deplores in its entirety any torture or killings of Biafrans by Biafrans on Biafran soil. Henceforth, anybody or group of people embarking on this criminality remain the enemy of the people.

“That the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra welcomes any civil disobedience measures taken by Biafrans in response or protest to the violations of their fundamental human rights this criminality which advances the ever legitimate Biafran cause. In this regard and with particular reference, any sit-at-home in line with the above-stated objective which is voluntary is welcome.”
On the issue of incessant Sit-at-home order, he told Vanguard that, “However, any violent enforcement of such exercise leading to the forcible restriction of movements, destruction of businesses, above-stated in Biafraland must be challenged. We further reiterate that violent enforcement of any said sit-at-home exercise is criminal conduct, and anybody indulging in those despicable conducts remains a criminal.

“Finally, that the De Facto Customary Government of Biafra reaffirms and reasserts that Biafra is our heritage and would do everything humanly possible to defend, and her people. Long live the people of Biafra. Long live the State of Biafra.”

Nigeria has Never being This Badly Governed- Wike Laments

Queen Madu

October 27, 2021

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has lamented that Nigeria has never been so badly governed in her political history as it has been in the past six years under the All Progressives Congress, APC administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Wike who spoke on Monday at the 61st Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Port Harcourt added that the federal government is woefully failing in its basic duties of providing for the wellbeing and security of its own citizens.

He therefore urged Nigerian lawyers to engage in judicial activism as a deliberate measure to addressing the slow dispensation of justice, and attempts to stifle the rights of the citizenry.

Governor Wike said no excellence can be achieved in the nation’s judicial system when judges lack the courage to enforce the law with equal measure because they are constantly under some form of political intimidation or pressure to please vested interests.

He wondered why the NBA has continued to focus less on promoting and fighting for the values of good governance, democracy, judicial independence, human rights and the rule of law when there is urgent need for them to do so.

“Never in our political history has Nigeria been so badly governed and denied of good governance with the federal government woefully failing in its basic duties to provide for the wellbeing and security of its own citizens as we have experienced in the last six years.

On a daily basis the economic, social and political rights, including the rights to personal security, freedom of speech, association, dissent and peaceful protests, as well as the right to personal liberty are being violated with impunity by the present central administration and its security apparatus.

“The invasion on personal liberty has been brazen and indiscriminate, such that even judges of the superior courts, including Supreme Court justices, have in the recent past been victims of midnight assaults on their premises and subjection to unlawful arrests and imprisonments.

“Lately, the new devious trend is to tag security risks to innocent Nigerians and opposition elements and use the Immigration Authority to seize their international passports without a prior court order.”

Governor Wike said it is not enough for the Federal Government to issue Executive Order 10 and do nothing more pragmatic about resourcing the judiciary to the fullest possible extent, including enhanced judicial welfare and conditions of service.

According to him, there is need to seek judicial interpretation of the Executive Order 10 because, in itself, it is an oppressive erosion of the powers and autonomy of the sub-national governments to administer their own judicial budgets in line with prevailing economic indices.

“It is for similar reasons of strengthening fiscal federalism that we are in court to determine the proper authority, under our Constitution for imposing and collecting the Value Added Tax in our country.

“These are very nationally sensitive issues and Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the final outcome of the judicial process. We therefore wonder why the Supreme Court is not giving accelerated hearing to these matters and respectfully request that this should be done in the national interest.”

Speaking further, Governor Wike said it was time for everybody to work collectively towards building a strong legal system that is well-resourced, independent and effective in the administration of justice.

He said his administration has built, rebuilt, furnished and equipped old and new courthouses for the entire spectrum of the State and Federal judicial system, including the Rivers State High Court, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.

Governor Wike remarked that his administration is also spending 16 billion Naira to build the Nabo Graham-Douglas, SAN Nigerian Law School campus in Port Harcourt. This is in addition to the provision of administration and maintenance overheads of N10,000,000 per month for the next four years.

The Chief Justice Of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad in his address charged the NBA and its members that serve in various offices in the arms of government to lead the crusade to address the poor condition of service of national judicial officers.

Justice Muhammad, who was represented by Justice Mary Odili, in his remark before declaring the NBA conference open, observed that administration of justice is being hampered by assault that litigants, especially politicians and some lawyers, launch on the judiciary when their ends are not met.

He urged the NBA to also take measures to discipline its erring members who do not only ridicule the judiciary but also abuse its processes.

Justice Muhammad noted that as Nigeria remain faced with the challenges of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, agitations for secession and resource control, the peace of the country now rests on the balance of the scale of justice.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukuh, in his keynote address, said it has been difficult to review the nation’s constitution in a manner that meets the current aspirations of Nigerians because of the poor quality of those saddled with such responsibility.

According to him, any tenable constitution should be one that provides a mirror for each Nigerians to recognise him or herself as a citizen and not as an instrument that distributes favours to vested interests, sections or tribes.

Bishop Kukah wondered about the usefulness of having 120 thousand membership on NBA list that cannot be harnessed to provide the leadership that is required to save the country from the quagmire of having a workable constitution for Nigeria.

He said Nigerians suffer identity crisis because politics have been immersed in religion and making it difficult to have legal system that can address all issues and promote freedom and justice without any form of discrimination.

“Our politicians must become very careful and more circumspect. If we are going to take a lesson away from Boko Haram, from banditry, from where we find our self now, is that there is an urgent need for politicians to become more restraint in their involvement with religion. Because their religious identity remains a very troubling identity.”

Deputy Senate President, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege said the National Assembly has taken steps to ensure transparency of elections in Nigeria by giving nod to the electronic transmission of results.

On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said the legislature is committed to ensuring that the rule of law thrives in the country.

NBA President, Olumide A. Akpata in his address explained that the 2021 conference comprise over 25 technical sessions where subject matter experts will lead conversations primarily aimed at envisaging the future of the legal profession within the context of a rapidly changing world and measures that lawyers will be required to embrace in order to remain relevant.

He expressed the profound gratitude of the NBA to the government and people of Rivers State led by Governor Wike, for their support and legendary hospitality.

Present at the conference were the Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, former NBA presidents, Onueze O.C.J Okocha (SAN) and Okey Wali (SAN) and lawyers from the 36 states of the country.

(IgbereTV)

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