For two days now President Muhammadu Buhari has stayed away from his office – The president was absent at this week’s Wednesday edition of the Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja – The reasons for the president’s absence has remained unknown as there was no official position on why President Muhammadu Buhari has stayed away from his office for the second time in a row since Thursday, April 13.
The president was absent at the weekly Wednesday edition of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. His Vice Osinbajo functioned in his place. This is the first time Buhari would be absent from the FEC meeting since March 10 when he returned from London where he spent weeks on medical vacation.
The lady I write about is sadly, someone I never had the opportunity of meeting in person. I only heard about her after she died. You know the thing about people, when they die. All you get to hear about them is good testimonies of the kind of life they lived. Even the worst kinds of people are eulogized after they leave this world. However, this lady in question got me really interested in her story because of the effect her death had on people who knew her. Believe it when I say that she is very popular. Her name was Lilian Nwobu. She was just 31yrs old and left a little three year old daughter behind, as well as a young husband, after battling with one of the worst types of cancer, Leukaemia. Leukamia in simple terms is, Cancer of the blood.
The first time I heard about Lilian was actually in a message sent to my whatsapp page by Ms Aisha Edwards who is the Coordinator of the Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (APLSCD). She announced Lilian’s death in an interview with Fides and described her as a fighter for the cause of the APLSCD and a philanthropist of sorts. Shortly after that, I got curious about the deceased and decided to dig a little into her background. Resultantly, I engaged Aisha in an interview session and she spoke to me in tears. During that interview, Aisha was heartbroken and I felt her pain as she described the late Lilian as a lady with a heart of gold. These were her exact words, ‘she was a good friend to our association and believed in our advocacy against Sickle Cell Disorder. She constantly propagated our cause consistently through her various platforms, especially her blog which had a massive readership and she did this without asking for any funds. I remember when she saw our complaints online and took it upon herself to go to court on our behalf to seek injunction stopping some miscreants from infringing on our human rights during our nascent stage’. Ms Edwards described the deceased as kind hearted and philanthropic as she remembered with nostalgia, how she donated generously to members of her association who lost their mothers at the CWO Nanka accident of December 2015, during the APLSCD end of year activities.
I eventually went in search of her husband and was able to get him to talk about his late wife, her struggles about this dreaded illness, her journey from one hospital to the other, and her death. I remember feeling a great wave of pity for him as I listened to him and can only pray for God to be with him as he mourns his better half. Here’s his story, ‘my wife died of an acute kind of Leukaemia and it was particularly painful because we didn’t find out on time due to the rareness of its symptoms. She kept on losing blood. Then we were going to Amaku Teaching Hospital for transfusion where they conducted series of tests, but they couldn’t pinpoint the reason for the blood loss. She kept on losing blood and became anaemic every now and then. She always had severe headache and bone pains. We were eventually referred to a specialist here in Awka where more tests were conducted. The doctor then advised we went for Bone Marrow Biopsy. In all these places we went to, they kept transfusing, in the sense that we lost count of the number of times that blood was transfused. We turned to God and never stopped praying and along the line, she became down again. She was eventually rushed to a medical centre in Enugu. I joined them and they gave her blood you know, shortage of blood had always been the problem. They were the people that referred us to UNTH where we were put in the Emergency unit and eventually, to the ward. That was where they did the Bone Marrow Biopsy and unfortunately diagnosed Leukaemia. They said Leukaemia had four types but her own was the acute type. I asked them what were her chances and they said the only cure is Bone Marrow Transplant which is not done in Nigeria but abroad. In the meantime, they placed her on chemotherapy which would still be done even if you do the Bone Marrow Transplant. We were there for about some weeks at UNTH, which part of the treatment was blood transfusion, and were discharged. Then, every Friday, we would go from Awka to UNTH for chemotherapy. The HOD there was of great help. He helped us to get some hospitals that could help us with the transplant with their quotations. We also researched on our own and spoke with some Indian hospitals that could perform the transplant, but getting a matching donor became a problem. The HOD asked her if she could bring all her siblings so as to help us to cross match and even see if he could help us get a donor for transplant. In order to cut the long story short, we eventually went to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ife. We were there on admission from February 2nd till she died on the 26th February. It was on a Sunday. I have never been the same since then.We wedded on January 18th 2014 and have a little daughter. My wife was a career woman and her role in the family as a mother and a wife is the best anyone could wish for. She has a heart of gold. She likes helping people which is why, in the group, Anambra Online publishers, which she is a member, they value her and have all spoken good of her. All these things are indicators that she was a good person. I lack the words to quantify her. She was philanthropic. She was humanitarian as well. Her philanthropy would be greatly missed by all because she was known for helping people who were in need of financial support and it is not easy because of the recession. Her friends, family, and colleagues are in pain as she is greatly missed by them all. I particularly miss my wife and I pray her soul rests in peace Amen’.
That was the interview I had with the husband to the Late Vivian Nwobu. I felt tremendous pity for the young man because I know what it means to be by the bedside of the one you love, watching her go through excruciating pains and struggle with death until she finally breathes her last. It must have been very harrowing and psychologically traumatic for him. Lilian also left behind a little daughter, six siblings and a mother. How sad!!! She died at her prime and it can only mean one thing she was heartbroken on her dying bed because she had an active life and still had lots of unfinished tasks to do. But then, who can ever question the will of God??? He always knows best. I am by this article, consoling her family members, friends, colleagues and husband. I urge them to leave all to God who is the giver of life. He also takes life. Nobody can question his divinity. He is the author and finisher of our fate. That simply means that He knows best, why He took her away at such an unripe age.
Again, let me use this medium to implore all our readers to be more conscious of their health status. So many people are diabetic without knowing it. So many others are hypertensive without knowing it. A lot more have a high level of cholesterol in their systems without even knowing it. While some have terrible infections that lead to one illness of the other without even having an inkling what’s wrong with them. All these happen because we do not have the HOSPITAL CHECK UP CULTURE Human beings are like cars. If you drive a car for an entire year without having the engine checked for repairs, it would definitely break down. Life’s really short, so let’s try to make the best of it while we can. It doesn’t cost much to go to the hospital bi-annually for follow ups on our health status. Nigerians, especially Ndigbo are very good at chasing after money and making the money but we are very lazy when it comes to exercising. We are also not even boastful of eating healthy. Not with all the beer and red meat our men consume. Our women are also not left out. Health is wealth. Therefore, if you’re unhealthy, your wealth is meaningless. Every adult should have a blood pressure monitor at home. It doesn’t even cost much. It is a necessity.
I once again ask the widower of Late Mrs Lilian Nwobu to take heart and be strong. God knows best. May her mum and siblings also be consoled by the Almighty and may her only child be sheltered under the shadow of God. May she know love all her life. May she be met with good luck and favour, all her life. May the soul of Lilian Nwobu and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. AMEN!!!
MASSOB said since Okechukwu’s appointment as Director-General of VON, he has taken the issues of Biafra agitation, Nnamdi Kanu’s detention and Biafra agitators as the only way to entertain his masters in the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, in a statement, yesterday, described Okechukwu as an errand boy, who has thrown caution to the winds in sabotaging the desire and wish of all Igbo, including his kinsmen.
Madu said: “MASSOB sees Osita Okechukwu as a desperate man, who easily sabotages the general interest of his people just to keep his position or appointment by the oppressors of his people. “Has Osita Okechukwu who claimed that Ndigbo are better and comfortable in Buhari’s administration condemned the several killings, harassments, intimidation and genocide by armed Fulani herdsmen against the people of his home state, Enugu? “We remind Osita Okechukwu that his appointment by Buhari as D-G VON is just temporal and irrespective of his errand gallantry for President Buhari, APC will replace him soon with an Hausa-Fulani man.” MASSOB warned that politicians should stop playing politics with the destiny and aspirations of their people, describing it as very dangerous.
After about four years of marriage, I left my husband because of his responsibility.I now live in a comfortable flat with my two young children. Since I started dating, I seem to prefer younger men. Some as much as six years younger. I am in my early thirties and my friends keep making fun of me even when such men earn more than I do. Does my attraction to younger men mean I am a pervert? Older men really bore me as they don’t make the efforts younger men do.
Obum, by e-mail.
Dear Obum, Being attracted to younger men and acting on it are two separate issues. However, since your partners are not married men, getting together with someone younger doesn’t make you a pervert. This is another one of those double standards that women have to endure. Nobody would hassle a 40-year-old man for hooking up with a 25-year-old woman and there could be a number of reasons why you’re attracted to these fresh-faced men, one of which you have stated in your letter. Maybe they pay you more attention or you feel more secured around them, and therefore, feel more attractive. Whatever the reasons, going out with younger men can bring its challenges and your friends might be mocking you because they’re jealous of your having a good time! Believe me, there are thousands of women out there enjoying great relationships with younger men. So go for it!
There are indications that the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) might have retired the Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue and two others over the illegal sale of 130 million litres of petrol.
Her retirement comes less than 24 hours after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered $38,000,000.00 N23, 000,000.00 and £27,000.00 from an apartment in Ikoyi allegedly belonging Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue.
On March 17, Henry Ikem-Obih, a chief operating officer (downstream) in NNPC, had revealed that about 130 million litres stored at the Capital Oil & Gas depot and over 30 million litres in MRS Limited depot, all in the Apapa area of Lagos, were not found when needed.
Ikem-Obih had said the infraction by the two downstream companies was a clear violation of existing contract which prohibited the firms from tampering with the volumes in their custody without express permission of the corporation.
He said the companies were called to explain and given two options to either return the full volume of what was stored in their depots or pay the full value of the products taken without approval.
He had also mentioned that NNPC alerted the Directorate of State Service (DSS), the Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and relevant committees of national assembly with oversight function on the corporation’s downstream operation to help recover the assets.
The officials were reported to have been sacked and later advised to resign, but are now officially disengaged from the services of the corporation.
But counsel to Nnamdi – Ogbue, Mr.Emeka Etiaba, said the money and/or the apartment where the sums of money were found did not belong to her.
“Our Client is as shocked as many other Nigerians at the uncovering and recovery of the said sums of money, and wishes to salute the courage and efforts of the EFCC in the war against corruption,” the law firm said.
“She also wishes to commend the whistle-blowing policy introduced by the Federal Government in the fight against corruption, which policy has resulted in large scale uncovering and recovery of monies and assets.”
The statement called on the media to be “more circumspect” in what it publishes.”
“Mrs. Nnamdi-Ogbue believes that the source and ownership of the money is known or eventually will be known by the EFCC in due course. Therefore, no need for conjecture or speculation,” the law firm said.
Meanwhile, NNPC explained that the retirement of Nnamdi-Ogbue and two others were in line with the ongoing reforms in NNPC.
The two other retired staffs are Mr. Alpha P. Mamza, Executive Director, Operations, NNPC Retail Ltd and Mr. Oluwa Kayode Erinoso, Manager, Distribution, NNPC Retail Ltd.
The corporation equally redeployed Mr. Adeyemi Adetunji, Managing Director of NNPC Retail Ltd; Engr. Lawal Bello, Executive Director, Operations, NNPC Retail Ltd; Mrs. Affiong Akpasubi, Executive Director, Services, NNPC Retail Ltd; and Mr. Agwandas A. Andrawus, Manager, Distribution, NNPC Retail Ltd.
Until his new assignment as the Managing Director of NNPC Retail Ltd, Mr. Adetunji was General Manager, Strategy and Planning, Gas and Power and also former General Manager, Transformation Office.
On Nnmadi–Ogbue’s retirement, Etiaba said the letter interdicting her from the corporation was served her last week and not yesterday, saying that NNPC only decided to release the statement announcing her retirement from service on Thursday.
When Etiaba was asked why her client was retired having not attained 35 years in service or attained the mandatory 60 years, he said: ‘‘That is another issue we will take up later.’’
Controversial has continued to trail the large sums of foreign and local currencies amounting to about N15 billion recovered by the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC) in an apartment in Ikoy, Lagos.
A former governor of Bauchi State and ex-national chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu ‘disowned’ the house at No. 16 Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, where the money was discovered even as sacked Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mrs. Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue and Chief Godwin Obla have washed their hands off the large sum.
An online medium had valleged that the house belonged to the former Bauchi State governor.But Muazu denied ownership of the property. He, however, did not explain why his name was listed as the owner on the website of the construction firm that built it.
Etco Nigeria Limited, a construction firm partly owned by an Israeli company, Electral Limited, prides itself as having built several residential and corporate complexes in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Lagos, including the property in Ikoyi, Lagos, where EFCC recovered the sums of $43 million, N23 million and £27,000, stashed away in fire-resistant cabinets behind a false wall, on Wednesday afternoon.
According to SaharaReporters, one Akin Oyegoke, who identified himself as the “Media and ICT Personal Assistant” to Mr. Mu’azu called from London to deny that the former PDP chair owns the building.
“Mr. Muazu does not own any house in Ikoyi except his house at Walter Carrington Street, Victoria Island Lagos,” Oyegoke was quoted to have said.
He also denied that his boss ever lived in the apartment where he is alleged to maintain a Penthouse.
Oyegoke was said to have claimed that Muazu was unhappy about the story linking him with the building.
But when asked to explain why the construction company listed Mu’azu’s name as the client on the property profile, Oyegoke was reported to have promised to “reach out to Mr. Muazu and get back to us but never did as at the time of publishing this story,” the online media said.
BVI Channel 1 gathered that the house was originally owned by Mu’azu, but he had since sold it.
Mu’azu, former governor of Bauchi between 1999 and 2007 had previously been declared wanted by the EFCC for engaging in massive corruption.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the law firm of Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) has also distanced Chief Godwin Obla from ownership of the building where the money was discovered.
The law firm said it client did not own a single building in Lagos let alone being a resident or part house owner of the said building.
The lawyer said it was unfair to suggest that Obla “is the network of affairs involving illicit financial dealings and money laundering…or to be linked with underhand criminal dealings.
“Except to confirm Sahara Reporters role of carrying out the bidding of faces behind the mask, it is befuddling how you could have come by unfounded allegation that Chief Obla, is equally a resident/owner of the building where over $50,000,000 was allegedly found. Having allegedly discovered the owner of the building by whatever means you did and all that should have been done remained to be done was a little prodding,” the statement said.
It stated that the allegation of Obla’s residency was a cooked up tale to create a mischievous foundation for planned future character assassination.
“To further lend credence to the above, is the additional narrative of the recent marriage between the son of Chief Godwin Obla, and Obgue’s daughter. Obviously, an insertion to create a subliminal innuendo in the minds of innocent and undiscerning reading public that there is a pattern of network of affairs among the names mentioned.”
The law firm demanded a full retraction of the statement within seven days or face a lawsuit of N10 billion “for the monumental injury to the reputation of the person of Obla and his interests.”
Meanwhile, Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court, Lagos has ordered that the funds be temporary forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Hassan gave the verdict yesterday while ruling on application filed by EFCC seeking for forfeiture of the fund.
The judge, however, adjourned till May 5, for anyone interested in the funds to show up before him to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
EFCC’s prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo while moving the ex parte application for the interim forfeiture of the funds, told the court that no one had come forward to claim it, adding that the staff of one AM Facilities managing the apartment where the huge sums were found could not provide the anti-graft agency with information on the possible owner of the money.
He urged the judge to exercise the power conferred on him by Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related Offence Act to order the interim forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government.
The Administrator of the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra has graciously approved the appointment of Mr Ugoeze Ugoeze as the Director for Infrastructure/Public Facility Development.
This appointment is for a probationary period of 6 months subject to further confirmation by the Supreme Council of Elders.Mr Ugoeze is expected to use his wealth of experience in civilized economies to advance the course of the Indigenous People of Biafra still living in Nigeria.He can be reached via +31684372961.
‘NNAMDI KANU APPOINTS CHIEF APOSTLE KALADA A. JENE – THE CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
CG-IPOB under the Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra can confirm that chief Kalada Jene has the mandate of Nnamdi Kanu to enter into discussion, negotiation and reach agreement on his behalf and his group with Customary Government of IPOB and other pro – Biafra groups so long as such is for the interest of the Biafra people and in line with both local and international laws.
Chief Apostle Kalada Jene is the founder of Afra Descendants Movement (ADM) He is Ibani clan, Ijaw , Bonny kingdom of Rivers State. Chief Kalada Jene sued Federal Republic of Nigeria in suit no CA|A|139|2010 to establish his indigenous identity as a Biafran and to demand for his inalienable rights for self determination.
He is a core Biafran from Niger Delta Region and also a member of Supreme Council of Elders of the Indigenous people of Biafra representing Ijaw ethnic Nationality.
The Customary Government of IPOB wishes to reaffirm her resolve to pursue the restoration of Biafra without breaking the laws of the land.
The Customary Government of IPOB which has been calling for release of Nnamdi Kanu is glad to note that more respected individuals and groups are also joining in calling for his release and would be ready to work with anybody who has agreed to work under the due process of law in pursuit of Biafra restoreation’
Customary Government of IPOB is a de facto Government set by the Elders of the land to gather their Children under the Customary law even as Biafrans pursue for self determination while still living in Nigeria.
It has become necessary to respond to an online insinuation that the Customary Government of IPOB has abandoned the Biafra project for political project. This allegation is unfounded and smacks of total ignorance of the intrigues and intricacies that surround national liberation.
It is rather pathetic that social media has created an opportunity for freedom fighting neophytes to confuse our dear ‘ freedom hungry ‘ people. CG-IPOB can never be deterred non distracted by the actions of these irresponsible online contractors who have hijacked the Biafra or and Nnamdi Kanu brands for money making. For five years running even without public funding , the officials of CG-IPOB have held the Biafra ship via the rule law afloat, and steered the occupants towards the right direction. Even our worst enemies can attest to the fact that the officials of CG-IPOB are fanatical towards the Biafra project.
It is therefore, laughable to insinuate that CG-IPOB under the Leadership of the Supreme Council of Elders has jettison Biafra for politics.From the very beginning, CG-IPOB did not leave anybody in doubt of how and why Biafra must be achieved. Our adopted methodology is at the public domain including inside Aso Rock. As a reminder, our position even in federal high court, owerri has remained that we are Biafrans by indigenous identity but still Nigerians by citizenship. Citizenship can be negotiated but indigenous identity is permanent. It is also our position that we have inalienable rights to determine whether we want to be Nigeria citizen or Biafra citizen within or outside Nigeria. As a responsible people quite aware of our political and economic position (s) in Nigeria, we considered legal, diplomatic and political as most viable options to achieve our collective aspiration.CG-IPOB has just activated her political strategy via MOBIN to run simultaneously with legal and diplomatic methodologies. How would anybody see the activities of MOBIN as going against the Biafra restoration?
The CG-IPOB is not unaware of the activities of hired mercenaries to create confusion in the ranks and files of the Biafra family. We have remained committed and resolute towards our well articulated and designed roadmap to the promise land as well as pushing for a common front. CG-IPOB has an open mind with open door policy and that was what necessitated our visit to Kuje.We can authoritatively confirm to the public that Chief Apostle Kalada Jene(08105243130) from IJAW LAND has an open ended mandate to represent Nnamdi Kanu in any negotiation table. Kanu might have his personal reservation about certain issues but at the end, what is important is a uniting factor – Biafra. We respect his opinion, however the public should note that we were together from the beginning as seen in this recorded video https://youtu.be/0oFssrCbrYQ.
CG-IPOB shall continue to push for a common front to bring our people together but would not unite with those who lack common sense on how to handle a complicated situation.
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu
Director – Directorate of Information, CG-IPOB
The Customary Government of IPOB is happy to announce that a successful townhall meeting was held yesterday with some key stakeholders in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State . The meeting was presided over by the Customary Government Administrator- Engr Anthony Aniebue.
The town hall meeting was in continuous of the Administrator’s drive to set up a De Facto Customary Government of IPOB across the Biafraland. The Provincial Administrator for Abakiliki Province was announced during the meeting. He is Mr Chigozie Okorie (08066018380).Also Customary Government of IPOB policy statement booklets were presented to clergymen present as well as a Catholic Priest.
The Customary Government of IPOB vehicle is quietly moving across the entire Biafraland to preach the gospel of freedom strictly in line with both Nigeria and International laws. At this stage, the Customary Government of IPOB is not unaware that many will not take her serious ,however slow and steady wins the race.
The Customary Government is scheduled to be in Uyo in few weeks time.
