Muslim community in Anambra State has assured of continued support in promoting good governance in the state by being law abiding, showing commitment to peace and prosperity, among other patriotic actions.
Speaking at Rojenny Central Mosque, Oba in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state after Friday Jumat prayer that attracted no fewer than six hundred muslims; including prominent indigenes of Oba, Obosi and Ichi communities, the Muslim faithful also promised to continue praying for a more united and progressive Nigeria; which they said has come a long way as a country, and should rise above ethnicity, religious and other primordial considerations.
Chief Imam of the Mosque, Alhaji Mohammed Imam, who led the Jumat prayer, sued for religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among all tribes and political divides in Nigeria, and called on Nigerians to imbibe ecumenical and cross-cultural virtues.
He commended the Proprietor of Rojenny Games village Oba, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka; for establishing a mosque within the facility, as well as ensuring their security and protection in the state.
Contributing, the second in command to the Chief Imam, Alifa Abdulateef Ayodele, said he has enjoyed the best of hospitality for over six years while worshiping in the mosque outside of his place of origin.
Chairman of Ogilisi Igbo Foundation, Dr Linus Uche, said the desire of the founder, Chief Ezeonwuka, has always been that people across tribes and religions live comfortably wherever they found themselves in Nigeria, adding that Chief Ezeonwuka has been an advocate of unity with humanity above religion.
In his remarks, the Proprietor of Rojenny Games village Oba, and Founder of Ogilisi Igbo Foundation, Chief Ezeonwuka, said the Mosque has existed for about forty-five years and supported Islam in the area all along.
He thanked the Muslim community at the Mosque for their peaceful disposition and prayers for Anambra and Nigeria.
The New Nigeria Political Party, NNPP, has vowed to take over Imo state in the November 11 gubernatorial election, as well as other Southeast states in future elections.
The party also said it has decided to forge ahead despite attempt to hijack it by some desperate politicians, adding that since it has been winning elections in batches in the past, winning the upcoming Imo guber election is assured.
At the Southeast Zonal Executive Conference of the party held in Awka, Anambra State, the newly appointed Acting state Chairmen of the party were introduced to the zonal authority, the dissolution of the Kawu Ali-led National Working Committee, NWC, and the expulsion of the Kwankwaso and Kwankwasia support group reaffirmed.
The expiration of the MoU that brought NNPP/NAGAF&Kwankwaso/Kwankwasia group was also announced during the conference.
In his address at the conference, the Deputy National Chairman of NNPP, Chief Felix Chukwurah, who said that the party is not immune to leadership crisis as is seen in other political parties, however, explained that the peculiarities in the NNPP circumstances are worth dealing with decisively to avoid challengess capable of destabilizing her pursuits in many fronts towards producing the President of the country and winning other political offices in the next political dispensation.
He announced that in the coming weeks, many of their court cases would have yeilded expected results of sending all miscreants and hijackers out of the party, and party’s glory restored like never before.
Chief Chukwurah pledged the party loyalty to Dr. Boniface Aniebonam; the founder and one who has, with the support of some other pioneer members, nurtured it for the past twenty-two years, as well as the National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major; for working for the success of the party.
Others who spoke in support of the party leader were the Ebonyi State Chairman of the party and Ezza South/ Ikwo House of Representatives candidate, Chief Stephen Ojeogu, as well as the Abia State Secretary of NNPP, Dr Kalu Amogu.
…as Igwe Onyido recieves 2023 NUJ Man of The Year award
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze, and the Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, are among eminent personalities expected to attend the 2023 Press Week, Media summit and Anambra NUJ Man of The Year Award ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Anambra State Council coming up in Awka on Thursday, second November 2023.
At the event that will be chaired by the first female Professor of Mass Communication in Sub-saharan Africa, Chinyere Okunna, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, will speak on “Pragmatic Media practice as an antidote to sustainable development in a distressed economy: A focus on Anambra State”.
A statement signed by the Anambra State Council Chairman of NUJ, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, announced that Media Chief Executives, managers and regulators, captains of industry, and traditional rulers are expected at the event.
Dr Odogwu informed that the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Paul Nwosu, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, among other media handlers in the state are also expected to grace the occasion.
NUJ Press Week which started on Friday 27/10/23 with an interactive session between the National Chairman of APGA and Journalists from print and broadcast media, online publishers, and bloggers, would also feature presentation of Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna Ethical Journalist of the year award for 2023 to the yet-to-be-determined winner.
Chairman and Secretary of the Planning Committee of the event, Dr Njideka Ezeonyejiaku and Chukwuleta Chigozie said other activities marking the event are presentation of NUJ 2023 Anambra Man of the Year Award on Igwe Pharmacist Alex Uzo Onyido of Ogidi community, while the 2022 NUJ Anambra Man of The Year, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON (DMD of Zenith Bank) shall give remarks at the event that has the National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, as the Chief host.
Visitations to 3 charity homes, Community Children Homes in Awka and Onitsha, and Sickle Cell community home Agulu, as well as facility tour of Tiger Foods Company Ltd, novelty match between the NUJ team and Anambra State Judiciary team are part of activities lined up for the press week.
NUJ will also reach out to the challenged/ displaced communities in 3 senatorial zones, and hold Karaoke Night/ Couples unification hour among others.
Following the ruling of the apex court of Nigeria affirming Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the controversial 2023 Presidential Election, a group, Biafra De Facto Customary Government (BDFCG) has said that the foundation of the nation, instead of being consolidated, has rather been eroded by the court legitimizing illegality and, in effect, promoting an environment of lawlessness.
The group, in a statement signed by its Spokesperson, Prosper Odinga, said the judicial decision has dumbfounded both the opposition political parties and common citizens; whose last hope in judiciary “has continually been betrayed with continual unhealthy alliance with the executive arm”.
The Pro-Biafran group stated that for far too long Nigeria has grappled with a lack of law and order, adding that the recent Supreme Court ruling only exacerbates the already questionable culture of injustice that permeates the Nigerian society.
By endorsing the manipulated electoral process tainted with irregularities and disregarding the rule of law, BDFCG said the supreme court has finally sent a dangerous message that undermines the very fabric of the justice system they hypocritically serve to preserve.
Expressing concerns over the far-reaching effects of the apex court ruling, BDFCG said the erosion of justice in Nigeria should be a matter of grave concern for all Africans committed to the principles of democracy and human rights, and called on all Biafrans across the world to be more organized in pursuit of her right for self determination.
The statement reads:
*NATURAL JUSTICE REMAINS THE LAST COURSE FOR NIGERIAN MASSES*
The apex court of Nigeria has ruled on the controversial 2023 Presidential Election affirming Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency of which Biafra De Facto Customary Government (BDFCG) has archived with another series of controversial judicial decisions that affects the foundation of justice and rule of law.
This ruling has dumbfounded both the opposition political parties and common citizens whose last hope on judiciary has continually been betrayed with continual unhealthy alliance with the executive arm.
It is with great alarm that BDFCG noted the court’s decision which was supposed to consolidate the foundation of the nation but only succeeds to erode it by legitimizing illegality and, in effect, promoting an environment of lawlessness.
For far too long, Nigeria has grappled with a lack of law and order, and this recent ruling by the Supreme Court only exacerbates the already questionable culture of injustice that permeates our society. By endorsing the manipulated electoral process tainted with irregularities and disregarding the rule of law, the supreme court has finally sent a dangerous message that undermines the very fabric of the justice system they hypocritically serve to preserve.
It is imperative that we recognize the far-reaching implications of this ruling. This insensitive decision signals a concerning shift towards authoritarianism. It underscores the need for the masses to exercise their right, to scrutinize and assess this judiciary in the context of the challenges they currently face and the credibility of the executive leadership that has been imposed.
The masses, as the ultimate custodians of democracy, have the right to evaluate the decisions of the judiciary, even the apex court in the context of their everyday lives and the impact of their rulings.
The Biafra De Facto Customary Government calls upon all Biafrans across the world to be more organized in pursuit of her right for self determination. President Tinubu can hijack the institutions in Nigeria but nobody can hijack the power of organised people.
Biafra De Facto Customary Government believes in the power of rule of law and justice of the people to bring about the desired societal change and to hold leaders accountable for their actions because democracy ,no matter how bad, allows individuals to speak out when they feel their rights are being trampled upon, and it is this freedom that strengthens the foundations of democracy.
Furthermore, the erosion of justice in Nigeria should be a matter of grave concern for all Africans committed to the principles of democracy and human rights. The struggle for justice and the preservation of democratic values continues, and we stand with the people in their pursuit of a fair and just society.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday, October 27, reminded Nigerians that elections were over and that it was time for the nation to move forward.
The former president, who stated this after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, also called on the political leaders, especially former presidents to come together to ensure the citizens do not suffer. He also asserted that the ability of Nigeria to lead the African continent has become a consensus among African countries.
Jonathan said: “We need to bring all our political leaders, including all our former Presidents together, we will not be fighting, if top leaders continue fighting they will not suffer that much, but the downtrodden will suffer and we want to end that tension so we move forward. Elections are over and so we must move forward.”
He also said that Nigeria has all it takes to lead the Black continent, despite the current economic challenges facing the nation . The ex-president noted: “That is what all Africans are saying, I had a program on democracy dialogue and Prof Lumumba spoke there, he emphasized the need for Nigeria to take a lead in Africa. Yes, we have challenges economically now but we still have what it takes to lead Africa.
Award-winning music star, Davido, has responded to his colleague, Oyindamola Emmanuel, popularly known as Dammy Krane regarding the allegations of unpaid debts, stating that he had never received compensation for the three verses he contributed to Dammy Krane’s song nine years ago.
Dammy Krane in a post on Tuesday claimed that Davido owed him for their successful collaboration on the song “Pere” and appealed to the musician to settle the debt, citing his daughter’s impending school fees as the reason.
Responding to the allegations on Friday, Davido, in a post on X, pointed out that he had never received compensation for the three verses he contributed to Dammy Krane’s song nine years ago.
Davido also recalled the times he provided shelter and sustenance to Dammy Krane in Atlanta when the latter was homeless.
Davido said, “I never got paid for that also my 3 verses I’ve gifted you all your dead career… .. oh yea plus my royalties, we charge now so that’s about $ 150k x3 a verse.. also house rent and food when u stayed in my house in Atlanta when you were homeless.”
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is currently being detained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It has been confirmed that Emefiele, who is currently being interrogated at the National Headquarters of the anti-graft agency, Jabi, Abuja, was picked up by EFCC operatives Thursday night, less than an hour after he regained his freedom from the dungeon of the Department of State Services.
An impeccable source revealed the development to our correspondent Friday morning, noting that the EFCC is probing Emefiele over alleged impropriety during his term as the head of the apex bank.
“Yes, Emefiele is currently in our (EFCC) custody; he was arrested last night less than an hour after the DSS freed him. He’s currently being interrogated at the headquarters, as he’s being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds amongst other things during his term as CBN governor,” the source noted.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Robert Clarke has said that there will be no end to electoral litigations till the 1999 Constitution is amended.
Clarke argued the the Supreme Court cannot set aside the result of a presidential election because the constitution states that whatever the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presents is right.
The elder statesman asserted that the 1999 Constitution has given the electoral body too much power.
He stated this during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.
Clarke statement is coming against the backdrop of the Supreme Court judgement that upheld President Bola Tinubu’s election.
He lamented that there have been about six election petitions and the Supreme Court has never invalidated any presidential election in Nigeria.
According to Clarke, “The problem today is that the system we have, except it is rigorously looked into, we will continue for every four years to do the same thing we are doing for the next 20 years. I started with this constitution in 1999; today, 2023, there has been no difference. Every four years, we do a roundabout in trekking and come to the same point.
“We have done about six election petitions and the Supreme Court has never set aside any presidential election in Nigeria. Why should they, when the law says whatever the umpire does is by law presumed to be right?
“So, once the umpire which is INEC presents documents to the tribunal and says ‘I have done my job, these are the results, if you are not happy come and challenge me and bring your own result.
“That is what is happening. We have to make sure INEC is not given that advantage to present document and the court has no option than accept them as correct.
“For us not to come back in four years’ time to come and be talking the same thing that we are doing today, we must amend the 1999 Constitution to remove that section that says to be able to contest an election you must belong to a political party.”
An industrialist and former National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Barrister Charles Odunukwe, has called on the government to prioritize steady power supply and stimulate industrialization in order to encourage local manufacturing of essential items.
Speaking on how economic policies affect lives and businesses in Nigeria and African region at large after he received “Dynamic Enterpreneur of Excellence” award from UNIZIK Business School in Awka, Chief Odunukwe, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Colonades Hotel Lagos, called for the creation of industrial hubs, as well as mentoring of youths on how to secure a better future by making good use of their individual talents.
He equally called on government to create necessary infrastructure, including sports facilities, to encourage the youths on the use of football and other sporting activities in discovering individual talents.
Chief Odunukwe noted that elsewhere, private individuals manage football club, calling on the government to give the sports sector desired attention.
On the high rate of foreign currency exchange, the industrialist blamed it on people he said are buying and storing forex because they lack faith in the local currency, adding that a single policy statement from the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria can address the challenge.
Expressing delight over the award bestowed on him, Chief Odunukwe called on those who can to help in supporting the institution to achieve great feat.
Earlier in her lead paper presentation at the 2023 International Hybrid Conference organised by the UNIZIK Business School, an economic policy expert and former Vice President of the World Banks, African Region, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, said that African is in dire need of a political system and culture that will engender economic prosperity of citizens.
The one-time Nigerian Minister of Education regretted that the dominant mindset of African political leaders negates common good of the citizens, reason the continent is still lagging behind.
She, however, recommended competitive politics to help in achieving human capital development in the region, in addition to other reforms that include implementation of sound policies, strengthening of institutions, as well as focusing on quality investments that guarantee human capital development.
Also in his keynote speech, the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, represented by Professor Charles Obiora, affirmed that a peaceful political transition guarantees enhanced development that ensures that people feel the impact of democracy, and called on African leaders to make equity and accountability their watchwords in all policies and implementation actions.
Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, represented by former Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Professor Frederick Odibo, noted that many African countries have passed through political transitions from colonialism to independence long enough to have broken the yoke of underdevelopment, expressing hope that the conference would help open new insights towards tackling the Nigerian and African challenge.
Also in their remarks, the host and Director of UNIZIK Business School, Professor Emma Okoye, and the Chairman of Nigeria Institute of Management, Venerable Professor Anayo Nkamnebe, said international discourse as the one organised by the UNIZIK Business School stimulates critical thinking that helps drive development, expressing hope that a blueprint will be generated at the end of the conference to inform policies that will improve governance.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, represented by Professor Sam Omenyi, said the theme of the conference, “Political transition and economic development: the African perspective”, is apt, especially now that there are changes in political leadership in states of African nations.
Good Governance Ministry (GGM ) strongly condemns yesterday ruling by Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President of Nigeria. This ruling has shown the level of insensitive and injustice across the nation, and we are compelled to alert the masses and the international community that Nigeria’s Legislature and Judiciary have been hijacked by the Executive, thereby endangering the foundations of democracy and paving the way for dictatorship.
It is with great alarm that we witnessed the court’s decision legitimizing illegality and, in effect, promoting an environment of lawlessness.Supreme Court has rewarded election riggers and INEC for deliberately refusing to upload election results from the polling stations including altering of election result figures.
By endorsing the manipulated electoral process tainted with irregularities and disregarding the rule of law, the Supreme court has watered down her power as Court of last resort . With this obvious electoral injustice as approved by Supreme Court , GGM has no choice than to call for supremacy of the people; the power of the people is greater than those few people in Government.
The People will now ,more radically exercise their rights to scrutinize and assess institutions of Government and those running those institutions.This is ,therefore ,a call for mass action against bribery , corruption, injustice,bad governance, nepotism and all those things that promote backwardness.
The struggle for justice and the preservation of democratic values continues, and we stand with the people in their pursuit of a fair and just society.We must be organized to win this battle against the political buccaneers.
