Anambra State House of Assembly conducts public hearing on a bill for a law on open grazing of cattle and other livestock prohibition and ranches establishment.
The leader of Miyetta Allah, Anambra state , DSS Director,Ohanaeze Vice President , Good Governance Ministry , Representative of Alaigbo Development Foundation and many others.
Detail of the hearing coming in BVI channel 1
The Senate has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists.
It also advised the president to wage total war against the bandits, including bombing all their locations to annihilate and eliminate them.
The Red Chamber also asked Buhari to declare all the known leadership of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution.
The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto East) and eight others.
Gobir noted that Sokoto East Senatorial District has now become a safe haven for bandits due to the current onslaught against them in Zamfara State.
He recalled the killing of 21 security personnel last Saturday in Dama and Gangara and yet to be ascertained number of civilians from the neighbouring villages by rampaging bandits.
The gruesome murder, the lawmaker said, portrayed the seriousness of the problem which he said requires concerted and urgent action by the declaration of total war on banditry.
He expressed worry that losing such a number of trained officers would further deplete the numerical strength of the security personnel in the country, thereby jeopardizing the security architecture of the country.
He also lamented that most of the bandits have now relocated to Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas due to the sustained military operations at the Zamfara axis.
The lawmaker said while the crackdown on the bandits was taking place in Zamfara State, no concrete measures have been taken in Sokoto State, leaving it totally exposed to the activities of the bandits.
According to him, the present military onslaught on the bandits is not well coordinated because it is only being orchestrated in Zamfara State instead of all the front line states ravaged by banditry. ,
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the fallen heroes and civilians who lost their lives in the unwholesome activities of the bandits.
Unidentified gunmen have killed Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of late former Director General of NAFDAC and minister for information, Prof Dora Akunyili.
Akunyili, a medical doctor and Chief Executive Officer of St Leo Hospital, Enugu was killed on Tuesday on his way from Onitsha to Umuoji at Eke Nkpor. He was said to have been killed alongside his driver and police escort.
On Tuesday, late Akunyili attended a lecture at Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, which was organized by the University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA), Onitsha branch, in honour of his late wife, Prof Dora Akunyili.
He was there with his son, Obum who now works with Anambra State government. We saw them off to the car and it was emotional when Obum hugged him (Chike) tight as both of them separated to join their respective vehicles.
Obum was in a white Hilux while the man was in a Prado Jeep. He must have been killed when returning from the function.”
Though attempt to get confirmation from the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga was not successful, sources in the victims community, Agulu have confirmed the incident.
A member of his community said: “He lost his life at Nkpor Junction, Idemili North Anambra State Tuesday 28/9/2021 when he came to Anambra to Receive Award for the Late Amazon, Prof Dora Akunyili.”
(Journalist101)
*By Christian ABURIME
Governor Willie Obiano on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 met with the Traditional Rulers of Anambra State to thank and appreciate them for their support and cooperation for his administration over the years at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka
The Governor used the occasion to evaluate his administration by presenting some of the monumental achievements of his government especially in the areas of infrastructural development in the state. He said his government has achieved so much despite the dwindling resources of the state. He urged them to be part of the on-going transition process as partners in progress
He also used the occasion to present Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the All Progressives Grand Alliance gubernatorial candidate as his choice of successor to the Royal Fathers.
In his goodwill message to the Traditional Rulers, Cee Cee Soludo commended Governor Obiano for achieving so much with so little. He described the traditional institution as the base of local government in the society. He commended the roles played by the Royal Fathers in their various communities
Presenting himself formally to the Traditional Rulers, the former CBN Governor said with the training, exposure and experience he has garnered both locally and internationally over the years, he is better suited to succeed Governor Willie Obiano
He also presented his manifesto saying it is a robust agenda covering every sector of the State economy. Cee Cee Soludo also reminded the Royal Fathers that APGA is the identity party for the Igbo man. He added that it is the platform to put Ndigbo in the front-row in the national politics of the country
Also speaking at the occasion, Senator (Sir) Victor Umeh (Ohamadike), former Senator of the Federal Republic and former APGA National Chairman, gave a recap of the political history of the State. He commended Governor Obiano for his outstanding performance saying Soludo will consolidate on it.
He described Soludo as a worthy successor to Obiano who has all the requisite experience and training to take the state to greater heights
Speaking on behalf of the Royal fathers, the Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe commended Governor Willie Obiano for performing exceedingly well as Governor of Anambra State. He assured the Governor of the continous support of the traditional institution to the government of Anambra State for the progress and development of the state
Governor Willie Obiano on the same day also met with the leadership and President-Generals of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU)
He commended the union for its support for his administration and specifically charged them to encourage the people to put aside the Monday sit-at-home syndrome by coming out to do their legitimate daily businesses. He said the state loses billions of Naira each day the sit-at-home is observed which is detrimental to the state economy
He equally used the occasion to present Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo to the union as his preferred choice to succeed him.
Cee Cee Soludo commended the strategic role being played by the union in the various community in the state. He added that he will consolidate on the “community chose your project mantra” of Governor Willie Obiano by deepening the community master-plan of the State
He explained the summary of his manifesto to the union adding that everything contained in the document has been carefully thought through.
“At the minimum we will deliver on this, at the best we will surpass it,” Soludo further assured
Responding, the National President of the Union, Chief Barrister Titus Akpudo commended Obiano for his outstanding performance in the State and the recognition and importance accorded ASATU.
He pledged that the union will continue to cooperate and support the government of Anambra State at all times!
(Facebook group:soludo tv)
Based on intelligence and past atrocious behaviors of disgruntled INEC officials, APGA is strongly aware that “Fulani Government of Nigeria”(FGN) is determined to rig Anambra State gubernatorial election in favour of APC.
They must be resisted by all means necessary. It is an open secret that if Anambra falls to APC, alaigbo will be in ruins.
Yes, APGA had fought FGN and her armed political bandits before and won in the last four gubernatorial elections.
In November 6, 2021, Soludo and his party henchmen encircled by sympathetic political die-hards are entrenched in the dog-eats-dog election warfare or tactics.
It is completely insane and utterly illogical to say no election in Anambra State, because the alternative such as appointing neurotic self destructive lgbo haters, the likes of Joe Igbokwe or Hope Uzodinma as Administrator will be terrible for the state to bear. The consequences of either appointing an administrator or rigging election for APC, will spell economic and political doom, including establishment of RUGA in the state.
Absolutely, Anambra State is better off re-electing APGA than chasing men with no integrity and their demonic shadows of making Anambra great slogan offered by APC.
IPOB ought to join hands to ensure APC does not steal the political desires of men and women of Anambra State to reelect an APGA governor.
Yes, IPOB needs Anambra State that is administered by an elected APGA governor. No mentally and cognitively balanced man or woman in Anambra wants nasty political and economic disaster in Imo State repeat in Anambra State. Tufiakwa!!!
Yes, there must be an election in Anambra State and APGA must win.
By United Biafrans.
The leadership and Ward Coordinators of Soludo Fan Club (SFC), one of the over 50 Support Groups rooting for Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s governorship bid, met with him at his campaign office, Awka, Tuesday, September 28, 2021 ahead of the gubernatorial poll
The group led by Engr Julius Chukuwemeka told Cee Cee Soludo that their visit was a follow-up to their earlier visit at his country home in Isuofia to intimate him about the activities of the group and its preparedness for the November 6, gubernatorial election
Engr Chukwuemeka said the group has been doing a lot to support Soludo’s governorship ambition by taking the ‘gospel of Soludo’ to the people of Anambra State in their various wards and local governnent areas
Engr Chukwuemeka also told Cee Cee Soludo that the group has printed some souvenirs which has been massively distributed to the people in support of governorship bid.
The leader of the group further assured Cee Cee Soludo that the group will continue to intensify efforts toward mobilising and sensitising the people for the upcoming governorship election with a view to voting massively for him as the best candidate to succeed Governor Willie Obiano
Responding, Soludo thanked the group for their support. He further appreciated them for aligning and believing in his cause to work for Ndi Anambra as well as his vision to take the state to a greater height
Cee Cee Soludo also took a swipe at the opposition who have been campaigning of taking Anambra State to the centre, adding that he is already at the centre while his opponents are aspiring to come to the centre
Cee Cee Soludo also used the occasion to throw more light on his manifesto, stressing that the manifesto is his contract with Ndi Anambra. He added that everything in the manifesto has been carefully thought through, covering every sector of the economy, towards making the state a ‘livable and prosperous homeland’ for all.
Soludo therefore urged the group to go to their various ward and local government to mobilise and sensitive the people towards voting Soludo/Ibezim in the coming guber election overwhelmingly!
The Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF, has expressed a different opinion with position of their Southern Governors counterparts on the issues of 2023 Presidency and the collection of Value Added Tax, VAT.
The Southern Governors had In their meeting on 16th September in Enugu resolved that the president of Nigeria in 2023 should come from the South. The forum also supported the collection of VAT by states.
However, in their meeting today in Kaduna, NSGF faulted the position of the Southern Governors stressing the Constitution of the country is explicit on how a president should emerge.
“The Forum observed that some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three Geo-Political Zone in the South with a view to promoting unity and peace in the Nation. Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemn the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the Presidency must go to the South. The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall:-
a) score the majority votes;
(b) score at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 States of the Federation.
(c) In the case of run-up simple majority win the election.
In their resolution signed by the Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong, the Northern Governors while restraining comment on the issue since its before the court said that Lagos State accounts for over 50% vat because most cooperate bodies “wrongly” pay their VAT through Lagos which is the commercial capital of Nigeria.
a) the judgement of the Federal high Court calls to question the constitutionality of VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13% derivation, National Economic Development Council and many other currently levied and collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Inlands Revenue Service.
b) Rivers and Lagos State Government had enacted their own VAT laws and the Southern Governors Forum have expressed support for this course of action;
d) Another confusion is ignoring observation above and its “overall effect”. The reason Lagos account for our 50% Vat collection is because most of the telecommunication companies, Banks, manufacturing and other trading activities have their headquarters in Lagos with the resultant and wrongful attribution of VAT
(e) Until and unless the Supreme Court pronounces judgement on the substantive matter between Rivers State and Federal Government, the matter is sub judice and Northern States Governors Forum would respect this.”
(Journalist101)
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has distanced itself from the campaign by some people based outside Nigeria that there won’t be election in Anambra state revealing that they haven’t declared ‘No Election’ in the state.
This was disclosed by the Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, via a statement made available to newsmen on Monday.
Powerful maintained that for now, the group is preoccupied with the restoration of a Biafra Republic and nothing more.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra State, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, had penultimate week, said frequent IPOB’s sit-at-home protests in the area were eating into the commission’s planning for the November 6 election in the state.
But IPOB on Monday described such fear as mere speculation and unfounded.
It said, “It is important to note that contrary to speculations, IPOB has not officially declared ‘no election in Anambra State’. Our preoccupation is Biafra restoration. Anybody equating IPOB strategy with Boko Haram terrorists, bandits and Fulani herdsmen is ignorant and mischievous.
He added, “Contrary to the vomit by of some inconsequential fellows, IPOB has no plans to attack South Easterners and South Southerners.
In the first place, violence is not part of our philosophy. Assuming we want to resort to violence, how can we attack our people whom we are fighting for?
“It does not make any sense. But we know their motive for peddling this falsehood as our intelligent report confirm the importation and stock pilling of arms from Pakistan for their planned invasion of Biafraland but we are waiting for them.
We are so astonished that a terrorist like Shekau without surname will be the one telling Biafran people to hate their own while he and his kinsmen openly protect their own terrorists and bandits maming and killing them in the the entire Northern region.”
(Journalist101)
The Northern States Governors’ Forum, in its continuous efforts to address the challenges bedeviling the Northern States convened an Emergency Meeting today Monday 27th September, 2021 at the Council Chamber Sir, Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting was also attended by Chairmen of Northern States Traditional Council led by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto.
2. The Forum discussed issues of Peace, Progress, Development and well-being of the Northern States. The Forum took stock of progress made in handling challenges of Banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and insurgency.
After extensive deliberations, the following resolutions were arrived at:-
1. The Forum reviewed security updates from the Region and observed the need for a sustained synergy and coordinated efforts between the Federal and Northern States Governments while noting success of recent measures. The meeting also noted with concern the constraint of the security services and urged the Armed Forces to embark on simultaneous operations and resolved to share the plans of the Frontline States come up with common with other Region; and assured of its readiness to work in synergy with the Federal Government of Nigeria in finding lasting solution to the current security challenges.
– 2 –
2. The Forum appreciated the ongoing onslaught against banditry, kidnapping and Boko Haram especially in the North East and parts of North West and North Central States and encouraged the Armed forces and other security agencies to sustain the tempo to enable the security challenges be permanently addressed in the shortest time.
3. The Forum received updates on the Renewable / Solar Energy Project and NOTED that request for land for the project had been submitted and are being processed by the Northern States. The Committee had commenced negotiations in a public private arrangement and sovereign guarantees to ensure bankability of the project by multilateral financial organizations. The Forum called on States yet to process the request for allocation of land for the project to expedite action.
4. The meeting received updates on activities of some Committees constituted by the Northern States Governors’ Forum and NOTED that recommendations contained therein are being considered with a view to coming up with implementation strategies.
5. The Forum observed that some Northern States Governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift to three Geo-Political Zone in the South with a view to promoting unity and peace in the Nation. Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemn the statement by the Southern Governors Forum that the Presidency must go to the South. The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected President shall:-
– 3 –
score the majority votes;
score at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 States of the Federation.
In the case of run-up simple majority win the election.
6. The Northern State Governors Forum considered the on-going National debate on the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT). As responsible leaders while we are constraint by the fact that the matter is sub judice we however for the purposes of educating the public make the following observations:
(a) the judgement of the Federal high Court calls to question the constitutionality of VAT, withholding tax, education tax, Niger Delta Development Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency, 13% derivation, National Economic Development Council and many other currently levied and collected by the Federal Government of Nigeria, Federal Inlands Revenue Service.
(b) Rivers and Lagos State Government had enacted their own VAT laws and the Southern Governors Forum have expressed support for this course of action;
(c) VAT is being confused by these State Government as a sales tax. If every State enacted its own VAT Law, multiple taxation will result in increases of prices of goods and services and collapsed in interstate trade. VAT is not a production tax like excise, but terminal tax which is paid by the ultimate consumer;
– 4 –
(d) Another confusion is ignoring observation above and its “overall effect”. The reason Lagos account for our 50% Vat collection is because most of the telecommunication companies, Banks, manufacturing and other trading activities have their headquarters in Lagos with the resultant and wrongful attribution of VAT
(e) Until and unless the Supreme Court pronounces judgement on the substantive matter between Rivers State and Federal Government, the matter is sub judice and Northern States Governors Forum would respect this.
7. The Traditional Rulers Councils appreciated the efforts made so far by the NSGF in addressing the key areas of challenges facing the Northern States, they expressed their willingness, solidarity and collaboration with the Governors’ in addressing these challenges particularly the issue of security. It was equally resolved that perpetrators of crimes should be dealt with irrespective of their status in the society.
8. The Forum decried the high level of conspiracies being perpetrated by some Judicial Officers in releasing / granting bail to arrested criminals. This attitude sabotages the fight against criminality, therefore, there the need to develop good and robust intelligence mechanism amongst States was identified as a panacea.
– 5 –
9. The Forum calls on Agencies to leave up to their responsibility, Traditional rulers are to equally mobilize their various communities in checkmating the ugly trend of criminality in their domains.
10. The Forum NOTED the ugly trend in the spread of drugs and consumption amongst the teeming youth and therefore, calls on all levels of Governments and communities to raise to the occasion by stemming the tide.
11. The Forum also call the Federal Government to expedite action on the well establish National Livestock Transformation Programme as a spring board in transiting from the open grazing system as widely practice in the North
His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong KSGG,
Chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum.
