Northern minorities are calling for the restructuring of Nigeria into three regions: the South, the Middle-Belt, and the North.
Under the Coalition of Indigenous Middle Belt Organisations (CIMBO), these ethnic nationalities convened a conference in Kaduna where they also demanded the rewriting of the current 1999 constitution. They believe that restructuring and establishing a new ‘people’s constitution’ are essential for achieving peace and development in Nigeria.
A communiqué issued at the conclusion of the two-day conference proposed that the recommendations from the 2014 national conference should serve as the foundation for this restructuring.
During the conference, Professor Ejeikwu Emmanuel Oloja presented a paper titled “The Position of the Middle Belt on Restructuring, Boundary Adjustments, and Constitutional Review,” which advocated for the division of Nigeria into the South, Middle-Belt, and Northern regions.
He argued that a restructured Nigeria, comprised of multiple units, would promote true federalism, reduce corruption, and lessen the reliance on federal allocations. This, in turn, would heighten the struggle for resource control.
The conference communiqué, co-signed by Chairman Timothy Barau Gandu and Secretary Prof. Emmanuel O. Ejeikwu, emphasized that the call for restructuring is more urgent than ever, particularly due to the significant growth and diversity of the Middle Belt’s population, which is estimated to be 44 million as of June 2024.
The cries of Ndi Anambra over the unacceptable security situation in the State have always been flippantly dismissed by minions of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as rantings of ‘disgruntled’ opposition. This is despite the fact that incidences of kidnappings, killings, robberies are daily occurrences across the state.
Now, the lamentations of Ndi Anambra have been vindicated by a most damning report by SBM Intelligence which rated Anambra as the headquarters of kidnapping-for-ransom in Nigeria.
SBM Intelligence is Africa-focused market/security intelligence gathering consulting firm and acclaimed Nigeria’s leading geopolitical research consultancy outfit, which is “particularly strong in the area of primary data gathering, and analyses of data that provides clarity relating to political, economic and social issues in Nigeria and West Africa.”
The report from its website released on Thursday by the firm covering July 2023 to July 2024, which ranked Anambra as the headquarters of kidnapping-for-ransom, stated that around N350 million was paid by victims to kidnappers, while many were killed even after paying ransom. Anambra’s rating was far ahead of the second placed Rivers State that recorded N67 million in ransom payment by victims.
This is certainly a most unwanted record by a state which a few years ago under former Governor Peter Obi successfully tackled kidnappings. It showed a government that cared for its citizenry and which recognized that securing life and property was its number one duty.
Today, virtually all classes of people in the state are targeted by kidnappers and other gunmen and our Governor, Soludo, carries on his business as usual approach. This shouldn’t be. It is as if everything is all right especially in terms of security while he moves with bullet proof vehicles and heavily armed troops, inured from the pains of our people.
Just on Thursday, gunmen attacked and destroyed Ogbaru Local Government headquarters and went away unscathed. And neither the Governor nor his government showed empathy as Ndi Anambra face great peril. At least, since this year, there has been no word of sympathy or visit to victims and their families.
I believe that this is the time to step in and secure Anambra. There should be no uncaring or disinterested attitude as people, including the Governor, are now condemned to holding important events outside the state. Perhaps, the SBM Intelligence report will finally sound a wakeup call on the Governor.
I call on him to hearken to the cries of our people and do his part in leading the charge to save the state from the grip of gunmen and other criminals. I also call on all stakeholders to join in mounting pressure on the Governor to do the right thing and return Anambra back to the leading most peaceful state in Nigeria. This is not when our Governor should be dancing ‘gwogwogwo ngwo’. It is not too much to ask.
A Nigerian-American, Kelechi Ndukwe has been promoted to the rank of Navy Captain from Commander.
He is the first Nigerian to have a command of US Navy War Ship.
As the first Nigerian-American to command the ship, the new role is the zenith of his over 20-year career in the US navy, which started with him working as an auxiliaries officer in 2003, a year after obtaining a master’s degree in national security and strategy studies from the US Naval War College.
In 2021, Kelechi took over as the commanding officer of USS Halsey (DDG-97), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. Before he took over from DeVere J. Crooks who had commanded the ship since November 2019, he had been serving as the second-in-command.
The USS Halsey (DDG 97) is not the first US navy ship Ndukwe will be commanding. From 2013 to 2015, the graduate of chemical engineering was the commanding officer for the USS Devastator (MCM 6), a minesweeper based in Bahrain.
Ndukwe has served in multiple warships in various parts of the world including the Mediterranean Sea, Horn of Africa, Arabian Gulf, and Western Pacific Ocean.
His LinkedIn profile states that he has also served in various other roles such as; weapons officer and combat systems officer of USS Fitzgerald in Yokosuka, Japan, from June 2010 to December 2011; as a navy congressional liaison officer in Washington DC, from July 2006 to August 2008.
He also served as the fire control officer of USS Normandy in Norfolk, from 2004 to 2006; and auxiliaries officer of USS Thorn, also in Norfolk, from 2003 to 2004.
Ndukwe, who graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2002, has also worked in the office of the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff (CJCS), America’s highest-ranking military officer.
He is on the list of other US naval officers making Nigeria proud, including Victor Agunbiade, the navy reserve supply officer honored in July 2020 for “100 percent accountability” as well as Beauty McGowan, who received a ‘high-performing sailor’ award while serving on the USS Iwo Jima, a US navy assault ship.
Confirming his promotion, Segun Victor Agunbiade on X (formerly Twitter) @segunvictor73 said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the newest US Navy Captain Kelechi Ndukwe. The first Nigerian to have a command of US Navy War Ship! Congratulations on your promotion Captain! Well deserved!!!”
The chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa in her congratulatory message said: “A hearty congratulations to Navy Captain Kelechi R Ndukwe who has been promoted to the rank of Navy Captain from Commander, in the US NAVY He is the first Nigerian American to Command a US warship #ProudlyNigerian.”
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada.
The IRCC introduced the policy in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic–related travel restrictions.
Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country.
In addition, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.
“While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, the IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system,” the Canadian government said in a statement published on its website on Wednesday.
The IRCC was also aware that “some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization.”
It however noted that it would continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy.
The development is likely to have a huge impact on intending migrants including Nigerians who might want to explore the avenue to seek a stay in the country.
The development is also coming amid tensions that heightened earlier this week when tens of thousands of international students took to the streets across Canada to protest new immigration policies introduced by the government that could see about 70,000 of them deported.
Canada is a destination for many Nigerians seeking greener pastures and education, especially in the wave of ‘Japa’ that has hit the country.
Following an intense gun duel between troops and terrorist’s group in the general areas of Kampani Doka and Rifigoro communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigerian Army troops have eliminated terrorist elements and recovered substantial number of dangerous automatic weapons and ammunition.
Why i wear face mask; my goal is to perform at O2 Indigo — Dj Tuzo, Jagaban of Mainland
“The troops while conducting offensive operations into the terrorists’ stronghold near Kampanin Doka met strong resistance from the terrorists who opened fire upon sighting the troops” an Army statement said.
“In a shootout that lasted for hours, the gallant troops subdued the criminal elements with superior fire power, thereby neutralizing 7 of the terrorists.
“The troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, eight AK 47 magazines (four fully loaded with 120 rounds of 7.62mm Special), a magazine carrier, 6 motorcycles, three mobile phones, two Baofeng communication radios, and three pairs of civil clothes.
“The troops further projected offensives to Gayam village of the same Local Government Area, where a notorious insurgent leader was neutralized, while some of his accomplice fled with gunshot wounds, leaving behind their weapons and equipment.
“Among the items recovered by the troops were a PKT machine gun with eight rounds of ammunition, a Baofeng radio, multiple communication devices, one SMF magazine, and 14 mobile SIM cards.
“These successful operations, marked by the deletion of key terrorist figures and the seizure of dangerous weapons, is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability to the region.
“We call on the public to continue supporting the relentless efforts of our security forces, who are tirelessly working to ensure the safety and security of all citizens” the Army said.
Gov Peter Mbah has commissioned a state-of-the-art mega asphalt production plant, today in Enugu. In a statement released to BVI Channel 1 online , the Governor stated that tomorrow is here and that he is committed to building a new Enugu State with abundant human and material resources within the shortest possible time . The statement reads in full ”This mega asphalt production plant is designed to produce 160 tons of asphalt per hour, is a game-changer for Enugu State. In a single day, we can produce up to 3,200 tons of asphalt if we operate 20 hours.
Additionally, it allows us to drastically reduce road construction costs by producing our own materials, including bitumen, right here in our dear Enugu State. We are aiming to source all our road materials locally.
Our commitment to paving a minimum of 1,200 kilometers of road per year is not just a goal, but a reality that we’re already achieving. Recently, we approved N183 billion for 141 urban roads and 20 rural roads. We’ve also completed 71 urban roads and are currently working on 10 rural roads.
In the coming days, we will also inaugurate a plant for mining and crushing stones needed for asphalt.
With this plant, we’re not only improving our urban and rural infrastructure but also enhancing access to farmlands, boosting our agricultural sector, and creating a more connected Enugu.
This is just the beginning of the infrastructural transformations we have envisioned for our state. We promised to make you proud, and we will not renege”’ the statement ended.
He says productivity determines the stability of any nation and the current administration should do all to power industrialization to reverse the import-dependent status of Nigeria.
Former Cross River Governor, Donald Duke, has urged the Federal Government to reduce soaring energy prices to bolster economic productivity.
He was a guest on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Friday.
Duke knocked President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the “fundamental error” of removing subsidies on petrol and electricity for almost the same period.
“What we are doing to our people is just not sustainable. We’ve got to revisit all those policies and put our people first. And this is not (about) subsidy, this is about enhancing the productivity of our people.
“If you reduce energy prices and people become more productive, the economy will grow even further,” he said.
According to him, four factors affect inflation in Nigeria: high energy costs, over-inflated contracts, ill-distribution of wealth and high interest rates.
“We need to get the economy working for the people. That’s the bottom line. At the end of the day, people don’t care about how they are governed as much as they care about bread and butter.
“The function of a government is to ensure the productivity of its citizens within an orderly environment. If you look at the unemployment ratio of our country, we are largely unproductive; the dependency ratio is high.”
Duke said productivity determines the stability of any nation and the current administration should do all to power industrialization to reverse the import-dependent status of Nigeria.
“Over 60% of the pressure on our foreign exchange earnings is oil import, if you can domesticate that, the exchange rate will dramatically drop.
“Even beyond that, we need to question the things we import. We are running an import-dependent economy which is wrong. With 230 million people growing every year, we need to run a productive, manufacturing, agrarian economy. We are not doing that. We, literally import everything at the expense of our people,” he said.
Exit Of Multinationals
Duke, who was governor of the South-South state from May 1999 to May 2007, said skyrocketing energy prices have battered the economy and have been forcing international manufacturing companies to exit Nigeria.
He said oil and gas prices should not be measured internationally, to the detriment of local industries. Duke opined that energy prices should be domesticated for local refineries and industries.
“A lot of companies are leaving Nigeria today because of the cost of production and the exchange rate,” he said.
As Nigeria battles its current economic crisis sparked by the government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows, some manufacturing companies have exited the country in the last few months, the latest being manufacturers of Huggies and Kotex brands of diapers, Kimberly-Clark.
Other multinationals who exited Nigeria in the last year are US-based Procter and Gamble (P&G), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Unilever, and Sanofi-Aventi Nigeria, amongst others.
Some similar reasons given by the companies include high energy costs and currency depreciation.
Mba May not not have the pomp & pagentry of Abia or Charisma of Agu Awka but his candor, silent miem & self-effacing nature does not count for nothing.
In real sense of purpose; he is a winner first & entertainer second.An enigma of some sort.
GGM is following his many footprints which included but not limited to the Current retrofitting of the Enugu international conference centre & hotel presidential all roled in one,the current transport ecosystem which he is curating in 3 locations in Enugu & 1 in Nsukka with classy car terminals,the many ongoing dualisation & rehabilitation of selected initial first tranch of 81 roads all over the length & breath of Enugu state( I learnt the second tranch of roads is about being activated) the proposed 300 million dollars medical city,the ongoing new Enugu city whose access bridge into the city has reached advanced stage, the smart school initiatives & the most surprisingly; the surge in IGR collection in Enugu state that has seen IGR move to 33 blllion in the first 7 months of this year.
Also critically followed the last media round he had with top journalist where he was in his elements articulating his dreams & vision for his people.
Enugu’s tomorrow May be here with Mba indeed.Time will tell eventually.
Members of the now-defunct All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Campaign Council have expressed their frustration and disappointment with President Bola Tinubu over what they describe as a glaring lack of appointments for women in key government positions.
The women, who played a critical role in mobilizing support for the APC during the 2023 election campaigns, feel abandoned by the President following his election.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the group’s spokesperson, Elizabeth Ofuani Otunbalogun, did not hold back in her criticism.
She accused President Tinubu of failing to honour his campaign promises regarding gender inclusivity, leaving the women who worked tirelessly for his success feeling “used and dumped.”
Otunbalogun pointed out that during his campaign, President Tinubu had pledged to increase women’s participation in governance to at least 35%, as outlined in the National Gender Policy of 2006. However, the reality has fallen far short of this promise.
According to Otunbalogun, women have been grossly underrepresented in the President’s appointments so far.
“Our research shows that in 2023, only 12% of the appointments made by the President were women. In 2024, the figure remains dismal, with just 12 out of 99 appointments being women,” she stated.
She further criticized the President for not fulfilling his campaign pledge to reward those who delivered results at their polling units, particularly the women’s wing of the party, which she said has been neglected.
The members of the APC Women Campaign Council called on President Tinubu to address the imbalance in his appointments and to ensure that women are given the roles they were promised.
Otunbalogun urged the President to make up the deficit in women’s appointments, stressing the importance of gender inclusivity in governance.
“This is crucial for correcting the anomaly and ensuring women’s participation in governance,” Otunbalogun emphasized.
Adesotu Vera, another member of the group, also voiced her concerns, calling on the President to remember the contributions of women who have been loyal to the party.
She emphasized the need for the 35% affirmative action to be implemented and urged the President to recognize the women who campaigned tirelessly for the APC.
“We are pleading with the President to consider our plight. Thirty-five percent affirmative action should be implemented,” Vera said.
“We are not looking at any position in particular. Mr. President knows the best qualifications for women. A lot of women worked for the party over the years during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari,” she added.
Vera further stressed that many of these women are highly educated and capable of taking on leadership roles within the government.
“Those women should be located, found, and they should be brought on board. They have all it takes. We want to be board members too. He should fix women into positions of authority for them to empower themselves,” she concluded.
