17,000 Live Bombs Found In A House In Owerri

The Nigerian Army has deployed soldiers to take over security of the premises housing 17,000 live bombs in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The soldiers from the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, were said to have taken over the premises few days ago.

Similarly, a team of bomb experts from the 34 Artillery Brigade have been dispatched to the site where the explosives are being stockpiled at No. 109, Achike Udenka Avenue in new Owerri, a densely populated area, to get a first hand information of the situation on the explosives, with a view to reporting to the authorities on the next line of action.

This is even as Professor Yakubu, has raised fresh alarm over the presence of another 44,000, bombs in some uncleared locations across the southeastern part of the country, saying some of these explosives are located in schools, churches, markets and other public places.


Biafran Secret Service Fear
The explosive expert who expressed delight over the concern of the army authorities, especially with the security challenges in the country and the establishment of a Biafran Secret Service recently, said “the soldiers would guard the place until we are ready to destroy the bombs.”
Beside the military authorities, Yakubu, said he had also been contacted by officials from the Department of State Security Services(DSS), who he said have been providing security for the premises after he contacted them over the issue during the 2015 general elections.

Security on the premises

When contacted over the security of the premises by soldiers, the Public Relations Officer in charge of 34 Artillery Brigade, Captain Haruna Tagwai, said “the army has already provided security on the premises, but the property belongs to the Ministry of Defence.”
He said “if you want to get more fact about it, you can contact the press’s secretary in the Ministry of Defence

Sunonline. Com

We don’t have power to arrest hate campaigners –Military

The Defence authorities have denied the claim that the military is monitoring hate campaigners  with the aim of arresting them, saying it does not have the powers to arrest Nigerians for such infraction.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, who said this while featuring on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television on Wednesday, added that the military had no information about where Boko Haram insurgents were keeping the remaining Chibok girls.

He explained that the military would only monitor the social media to sheave out information that could be useful for the planning of its operations.

When asked to respond to the accusation that the military was planning to arrest hate campaigners, he said, “There was nothing like that. We do not have power to arrest people for hate speeches. It is just false assertion, against the military, and against my humble self that I said that we will be arresting people or checkmating people.

“The military is not going to be monitoring hate speeches. Did I tell you hate speech in your recordings? We have a strategic media centre, our strategic media centre monitors the media, simple. And it is like that all over the world. And we take that because it helps us to transform the nature of the intelligence to enable us to prepare for whatever call up we get to ensure security in this country.

 “Let me tell you and tell the public without fear of anybody; we are trained to do threat analysis of anything that would threaten the security of this country. So, it is part of our threat analysis. Any person can interpret it to mean that it is a follow up to the speech of the Vice-President (Yemi Osinbajo), the then Acting President and then the minister of interior; then that person can be right. Where do we take instruction from, where do we get information from? But on the whole, it is part of what is called threat analysis.”

 When asked whether the military had information on where the leader of the Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, may have been hiding and where the remaining Chibok girls could be, Enenche said, “ No (intelligence about the location of the remaining Chibok girls.) Well, if you are talking about a Shekau which we have always referred to because there have been so many Shekaus, and I believe that there will be more Shekaus.  Shekau is a synonym as far as I am concerned, and Shekau has become a big name like we use to have Bruce Lee, James Bond in those days.

“So to talk about a definite intelligence or location of a Shekau, I don’t think is necessary. But what we are bound to do and committed to do is that anywhere there is any Shekau, we will always knock him off.

“You will agree with me that within this period that was given, well, you may not have got that information, but there was something about somebody somewhere around a location in Sambisa somewhere and the Air Force went and neutralised the whole place. And after the battle impact assessment, the whole place was finished.

“So, if there was a Shekau according to that information we got that went into hiding in that place, then that one must have been neutralised. And I won’t be surprised to hear that another Shekau is somewhere.

“I don’t expect you to put words into my mouth that I will tell you categorically a Shekau or the Shekau that you know very well has been neutralised. All I have told you is that there have been several Shekaus, there have been several instances, over five times and we will continue to knock out any Shekau that comes on stream. That is what I still stand on that.”

Meanwhile, the military has identified a Boko Haram commander, who allegedly masterminded the abduction of the members of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s exploration team in Borno State.

The Theatre Commander of Operation Lafia Dole, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who disclosed this at a press conference in Maiduguri on Wednesday, identified the suspect as Abor Mainok.

At the press conference on Wednesday, Attahiru stated that on August 8, 2017, troops of the Operation Lafia Dole arrested a sect member, Bako Umar (a.k.a. Abu Ibrahim) at Tasha Kano Motor Park, Maiduguri.

He said, “Umar is now also cooperating with our investigation team and giving useful information on Abor Mainok, the suspected mastermind of the ambush of the NNPC exploration team. We are factoring all the information from the investigations into ongoing operations.”

Attahiru also said that parents in the area had not stopped donating their  children to Boko Haram so that they could be used as suicide bombers.

He stated, “During the period, two cases of children donated by their parents to BHT for them to be used for suicide missions were recorded.

“One involved a female named Zainab Abubakar of about 11 years from Geidam who was arrested during a suicide mission in Konduga.

“The other involved 16-year-old Abba Bor Kura of Sabsawa Village in Bama Local Government Area, who was arrested by the Cameroon Defence Forces along our borders while on a suicide mission and subsequently handed over to our troops.”

Punching. Com

Evans pleads guilty to two count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping

Most notorious kidnapper in Nigerian history, Chukwudidumeme Onuamadike, also know as Evans, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and kidnapping before a judge of the Ikeja High Court. Kidnapper, Evans and others arraigned In Court Evans who was brought to court amidst tight security pleaded guilty to the offences moment his charges were read to him before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja Justice Oshodi today Wednesday ordered that Evans and his male gang be remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Prison while the female members, who pleaded not guilty to all the charges, be kept at the Kirikiri Female Prison. He adjourned till October 19.

What Southeast Governors Told Nnamdi Kanu - Politics

 South East Governors today met with the Leader of IPOB,  Prince  Nnamdi Kanu together with Prof. Ben Nwabueze,  SAN and Evangelist Elliot Uko, at the Government House, Enugu.

The meeting,  according to the Chairman of the South East Governors' Forum, Gov. David Umahi, who briefed journalists alongside Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Deputy Governor of Anambra State,  Dr. Nkem Okeke, "deliberated on the demands of IPOB and noted their concerns accordingly".

"However,  the meeting agreed that these demands by IPOB should not be absolute, rather the South East Governors shall immediately engage the leader of IPOB,  Prince Nnamdi Kanu and the entire leadership of IPOB to further meetings and dialogue with a view to quickening the resolutions of all issues amicably", the governor said.

Gov. Umahi noted that the Governors of Abia and Imo States travelled out of the country.

South African Minister Mocks Buhari, Other African Leaders For 'Health Tourism'

 South Africa’s Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, on Monday scolded African leaders who seek medical care away from the continent, saying the culture has become a major drain on their countries health expenditures.

The minister said it was shameful that African leaders frequently seek medical care abroad while most of their citizens grapple with substandard facilities at home.

“I have said this before and I will say it again: We are the only continent that has its leaders seeking medical services outside the continent, outside our territory,” Zimbabwe’s NewsDay Newspaper reported Mr. Motsoaleda as saying.

“We must be ashamed of that. This is called health tourism. We must promote our own,” he added.

Mr. Motsoaledi’s comments came when he delivered a speech at a regional health dialogue organised by the World Health Organisation in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Several African leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Angolan leader Eduardo dos Santos, Benin’s Patrice Talon and Algeria’s Abdelaziz Bouteflika, have sought medical care outside the continent in recent months, according to the BBC.

Mr. Mugabe, 93, who had used his open remarks to lament low investment in health sector on the continent reportedly left before Mr. Motsoaleda’s speech.

Among the African leaders, Mr. Buhari is known to have spent the highest number of days abroad during a single medical leave.

The president returned to Nigeria on August 19, after spending 103 days receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. He had been away for 50 days early this year between January and March.

In June 2016, he was suddenly flown to London, where he spent several weeks treating what the presidency said was an ear infection.

Although the president addressed the country when he returned from his latest trip to London, he was silent about the country’s public health crisis or what his administration would do to improve the situation.

The president also declined to address criticisms that he had broken his campaign promise not to seek medical care abroad.

His media aide, Femi Adesina, later explained that “the president is committed to uplifting the state of the country’s healthcare system.”

Like Mr. Buhari, Angola’s President dos Santos also rebuffed all demands for him to disclose the nature of his illness, despite the state picking his medical bills abroad.

Algeria’s long-sitting president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, also recently received medical treatment abroad, the BBC reported.

The battered state of health services across the continent, which has barely improved despite decades of complaints, has been adduced for the leaders’ medical tourism.

In 2010, the average amount spent on health in African countries per person was $135 compared to $3,150 in high-income countries, a WHO report found.

Millions across the country still find it difficult to access basic medicines such as painkillers, anti-malaria and anti-biotics, according to health experts.

A shocking report by PREMIUM TIMES showed no Nigerian government-owned hospital had a functional cancer treatment machine as of last week.

The report said only Eko Hospital in Lagos had a functional radiotherapy machine in the entire country.

World Cup Africa zone qualifying fixtures

World Cup Africa zone matchday 3 qualifying fixtures this week (times GMT):

Group A

Thursday

At Conakry

Guinea v Libya (1700)

Friday

At Rades, Tunisia

Tunisia v Democratic Republic of Congo (2000)

Standings (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points)

DR Congo    2 2 0 0 6 1 6

Tunisia     2 2 0 0 3 0 6

Guinea      2 0 0 2 1 4 0

Libya       2 0 0 2 0 5 0

Group B

Friday

At Uyo, Nigeria

Nigeria v Cameroon (1600)

Saturday

At Lusaka

Zambia v Algeria (1300)

Standings

Nigeria     2 2 0 0 5 2 6

Cameroon    2 0 2 0 2 2 2

Zambia      2 0 1 1 2 3 1

Algeria     2 0 1 1 2 4 1

Group C

Friday

At Rabat

Morocco v Mali (2000)

Saturday

At Libreville

Gabon v Ivory Coast (1600)

Standings

I. Coast    2 1 1 0 3 1 4

Gabon       2 0 2 0 0 0 2

Morocco     2 0 2 0 0 0 2

Mali        2 0 1 1 1 3 1

Group D

Friday

At Praia

Cape Verde v South Africa (1830)

Saturday

At Dakar

Senegal v Burkina Faso (2000)

Standings

B. Faso     2 1 1 0 3 1 4

S. Africa   2 1 1 0 3 2 4

Senegal     2 1 0 1 3 2 3

C. Verde    2 0 0 2 0 4 0

Group E

Thursday

At Kampala

Uganda v Egypt (1300)

Friday

At Kumasi, Ghana

Ghana v Congo Brazzaville (1530)

Standings

Egypt       2 2 0 0 4 1 6

Uganda      2 1 1 0 1 0 4

Ghana       2 0 1 1 0 2 1

Congo       2 0 0 2 1 3 0

Note: group winners qualify for 2018 finals in Russia

AFP

Rivers DPO arrested for ritual killer’s escape from custody

Deceased, Dr. Ernest Nmezuwuba, and the suspect (Dike) to write their statements, several calls were received from the said DPO by Okoroeze.

The top police source said, “We have enough evidence to believe that the DPO was working hand in hand with the ex-sergeant, who has been remanded in police custody. The DPO has been arrested.

“Even the father of the girl that was killed had said that there was communication with the IPO (dismissed sergeant) handling the matter and somebody that has not been disclosed. This happened while they were bringing the suspected ritual killer to the State Police Headquarters.

“All these and many more will serve as evidence against the DPO, who we believe has a lot to explain about his possible involvement in the escape of Ifeanyi Dike, who killed an eight-year-old boy, ostensibly for money ritual.”

Ifeanyi Dike had allegedly raped, killed and removed vital organs of an eight-year-old girl, Victory Chikamso, before escaping from police custody.

The father of the victim, Nmezuwuba, was at the State Criminal Investigation Department when the suspected murderer and ritualist escaped from police custody.

Nmezuwuba added that the suspect was able to escape because one of the policemen on duty on Saturday night identified as Johnbosco had unlocked the handcuffs for Dike to write his statement.

Oseloka Obaze Wins Anambra PDP Governorship Primaries

Anambra PDP Primaries Result collation LIVE on AIT.

Big congratulations to former United Nations Diplomat Oseloka Henry Obaze, the incumbent fought him so hard through fellow Aspirants who were financially mobilized by the governor but he has defied all the odds.

For the first time in 12 years, PDP has the the best and most qualified candidate going into a gubernatorial election in Anambra State .

#PDPPrimary17

Summary of Votes polled by PDP Governorship Aspirants w.r.t Anambra State November 18th Election.

Accredited delegates = 938

Ifeanyi Ubah - 94
Oseloka H Obaze - 672
Dr. Alexander M - 190
Invalid vote - 2

Strike: FG, ASUU meet today

THE Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities,  ASUU, will again meet today in a bid to resolve the ongoing strike embarked upon by the university teachers two weeks ago. Expected at the meeting called by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, are the Ministers of Education and Finance, Mallam Adamu Adamu and Mrs. Kemi Adeosun respectively,  Chairman, National Income Salaries and Wages Commission, Executive Secretary National Universities Commission and the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba. A statement signed by Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director, Press in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, yesterday, in Abuja read: “In furtherance of efforts at resolving the lingering industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, will tomorrow (today) by noon meet with the President and Executive of ASUU. “Government delegation at the meeting will include Minister of Education, Minister of Finance, Chairman National Income Salaries and Wages Commission, Executive Secretary National Universities Commission and the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. “The minister recalled that ASUU had earlier promised during the last meeting held on Thursday, August 17, 2017, to take the offer of the Federal Government back to its members and get back to the Federal Government within a week. “Senator Chris Ngige calls on ASUU to show good faith as the Federal Government had already demonstrated commitment to addressing the grievances of the Union.” When Vanguard contacted the National President of ASUU, Prof. Abiodun Ogunyemi, on his phone, yesterday, on the position of the strike, he simply said that the union was still consulting and that whatever was the outcome of the consultation would be made available to the public.

400 Jehovah's Witnesses In Angola Pass Out Due To Toxic Gas At A Convention

More than 400 witnesses passed out, of the 7000 attendees according to the angolan press, when they breathe toxic gas.

Abraham Kituxi, one of the eyewitnesses, revealed that one of the first people to go wrong and fell unconscious was a sister-in-law, that is to say, was immediately transferred to the municipal hospital, where he was assisted. "before, she had been told that she felt uncomfortable with an unpleasant smell and I assumed it would have been from some trash from solid waste trucks that passed near the temple", revealed. However, when he fainted, he did not take very seriously, judging that it is one of those crises that afflict him when he inhales some very active odor, and regardless of chemical composition, he easily recovers.

But his deduction fell on the ground when he suddenly saw other people who occupied the last seats near, complaining of the same annoyance, while others even fell into cascade. The fact was a widespread panic among the community that attended the conference subordinate to the "do not desist" subject, those who resisted complained of chest pains and the nearby people asked for water to drink. The congregation of the congregation immediately triggered the police and firemen who sent four ambulances and three policemen who joined the faithful by evacuating patients in private vehicles to the nearest sanitary units, such as the municipal hospital of and the hospital of The Cajueiros.

Three feared dead, many wounded as Okorocha begins demolition of Ekeukwu-Owerri Market

Three people were feared killed, when Imo State Government commenced the controversial demolition of the Ekeukwu Owerri ancestral market yesterday. Demolition of Ekeukwu Owerri market . Photo by Chidi Nkwopara Of the three deceased, Sunday Vanguard was able to identify one – 10-year old Somtochukwu Ibeanusi. Some of the other victims of the state government’s onslaught included, but were not limited to, Leonard Ebubeagu Osuji, Sebastian Oparaku and Ifeanyi Osuji. Vanguard reporter, Chinonso Alozie, who was at the scene to cover the event, was not spared, as he received severe beating when the thugs discovered that he was a staff of Vanguard. Sunday Vanguard gathered that Leonard was shot in the leg, while Sebastian and Ifeanyi were shot in the head and waist, respectively. Confirming the names of the three wounded citizens, the Village Head of Amawom, Owerri municipal, Chief Dennis Dike, said “they were quickly rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, for the needed attention”. According to Chief Dike, “a stray bullet hit Sebastian Oparaku in his parlour”. In his own reaction, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, described the killing and maiming of the citizenry as most devastating. Astonished traders look on during demolition of Ekeukwu Owerri market . Photo by Chidi Nkwopara “How can the government justify the killing of a promising young boy, because it wants to relocate Ekeukwu Owerri? This is most devastating”, Archbishop Obinna said. The Archbishop recalled that “we didn’t have this type of senseless killing in this state during the military regime and if it is happening in a democracy, then something has seriously gone wrong somewhere.” Sunday Vanguard gathered that over 500 deadly cultists were recruited by the state government, to not only clampdown on unarmed Owerri indigenes, but to also ensure that the market was destroyed.

VANGUARD REPORTER ATTACKED Meanwhile, our reporter, Chinonso Alozie, who was at the scene yesterday to cover the destruction of the market, was attacked by the thugs, alleged to have been recruited officially. Giving a graphic account of his ordeal, Alozie said he received the beating of his life when he refused to handover his i-Pad to one of the thugs. Astonished traders look on during the demolition of Ekeukwu Owerri market . Photo by Chidi Nkwopara “I identified myself as a Vanguard reporter on duty. He ordered me to handover my i-Pad to him. I got the beating of my life when I refused to obey him. “Over 20 young boys pounced on me. Some of them hit me severally with cudgels and anything they laid their hands on. They took periodic instructions from a government official.  I was saved by a policeman who came to the scene of the molestation. He retrieved my i-Pad from the boys and gave it back to me”, Alozie recounted with grief. A subsisting court injunction is said to have forbade the state government from going ahead with the destruction of the market. The state government official refused entreaties for comments.

Nwoye beats Uba, Moghalu, others to emerge APC gov candidate in Anambra

A 42-year-old medical doctor, Tony Nwoye, has emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the November 18 poll in Anambra State.

Nwoye, in what was adjudged a very transparent and peaceful primary, beat Senator Andy Uba and APC’s national auditor, George Moghalu, and nine others to clinch the ticket.

He polled 2,146 votes, while his closest rival, Uba, got 931 votes.

Moghalu polled a total of 525 votes to come third in the race. Barth Nnaji, who came fourth in the contest, garnared 414 votes.

Born on 13th September, 1974, Nwoye went to Metropolitan Secondary School, Onitsha, for his secondary school education, from where he proceeded to study medicine at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus; and Ebonyi State University, where he was inaugurated as a medical doctor.

Nwoye started his political career as a medical student where he functioned in different capacities. He later became the first medical student to become the speaker of the student union house of representatives in the University of Nigeria. He received an award from the then Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ginigeme Mbanefo, for the role he played in fighting cultism in the school.

He became the national president of the National Association Nigerian Students in December 2003.

He became Assistant Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Anambra State PDP in 2005 and by 2006, at the age of 31, he became the chairman of the State Executive Committee of the Anambra State PDP.

In 2013, he contested for the governorship seat of the state on the platform of the PDP, where he came second to the incumbent governor of the state, Willie Obiano, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Nwoye is currently in the National Assembly, representing Anambra East/Anambra West constituency.

Angry Amaechi Backs Biafra Agitators, Blasts Buhari, Orders Mr. President To Arrest ALL Arewa Youths Immediately

First Republic Politician, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, has reacted to the marching order given to Service Chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari, to crush Biafra agitators.

The former Aviation Minister, said the order was superficial and biased, as it focuses on the utterances and activities of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, but remains mute to those of other ethnic groups that clearly violated Nigerian laws.

He spoke to Sun, saying: “If I wake up and say I would go and blow up Aso Rock, would I be arrested, or when I march
to Aso Rock fully armed?

“Why the focus on Nnamdi Kanu; what of the other Arewa youths who are committing similar or more grievous
offences? What has been done to them?

“If Kanu breaks the law, let him be punished, not when he is unarmed and just making statement that his people are not
being treated fairly.
“What Kanu is saying is that Igbos want to go, if you don’t agree with him, put it to plebiscite. That is how it has been done in other places.

“Scotland said it wanted to leave United Kingdom, and they put it to plebiscite, majority said they didn’t want to go away.
“I don’t see why it should be different in Nigeria. Plebiscite does not amount to war.
“In America, since Donald Trump came to power, two States have expressed the desire to quit US, has anybody killed
them?

“The only thing is that when the demand becomes serious, the government will give the opportunity for the people to
decide.

“What has been done to the Arewa youths who said their leaders were the ones who asked them to issue the quit notice?

“Yes, we know who is sending them to do what they aredoing, the Politicians are behind them, and we are not deceived.

“What of those behind the anti-Igbo songs, what has the government done to them? What efforts have the security
agencies made to bring them to book?”

I Have More Important State Issues To Attend To, Than To Honour Buhari’s “Bedroom” Invitation To Aso Rock – Fearless Fayose Replies APC

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has offered reasons why he was not at the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 State Governors, in Abuja.

Fayose, in a series of tweets on Friday, offered that he did not shun the President, but had more pressing engagements
to attend to in his State.

The Governor revealed that he had a traditional installation
as Apesin of Ado Ekiti, slated for the same day, and he could not abandon it for an impromptu meeting with the President.
“For those insinuating that I shunned the President’s meeting with Governors, I didn’t. I had my installation as Apesin of Ado Ekiti slated for today.

“Also, there is Udiroko, a major festival in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital tomorrow, to which I am committed.
“There was no how I could have abandoned the people here in Ado Ekiti, for the impromptu meeting with the President.
“Guests were already in Ekiti since yesterday for the chieftaincy title installation, before I received notice of d
meeting with the President”, the Governor tweeted.

Pictures emerged elsewhere of Fayose being installed asthe Apesin (Apagun P’ote) of Ado Ekiti with his Gombe State
counterpart, Ibrahim Dankwambo, installed as the Akinmuagun of Ado Ekiti, by the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, on Friday.
It is yet undetermined if Damkwambo on his part attended the meeting with the President, in Abuja.

Post-Nigeria recalled, that Fayose had earlier in the week, said that he has no apology whatsoever for all he said about the President.

Apparently challenging those asking him to apologise for his comments over the President’s health to do their worst,
Fayose asked Buhari to stop deceiving Nigerians, and go back to his home town in Daura, Katsina State, to rest.
On whether he would visit Buhari if asked to do so he said: “I cannot go and greet the President if invited, and the reason
is that such action would be misinterpreted to be something else. So, it is good for me to wish him well from a distance, and be able to tell Nigerians the truth.”

Hate speech: UN experts demand prosecution of perpetrators

 A group of United Nations human rights experts on Friday expressed concern over the recent hate speech and incitement to violence in Nigeria, saying perpetrators should be investigated and prosecuted.

They deplored a Hausa-language hate song and an audio message being circulated on the Internet and on the social media, ordering Northern Nigerians to destroy the property of Igbo people and kill anyone who refused to leave the region by October.

The UN activists also described the three-month ultimatum given by some youths in the North to the Igbo to leave the region as a “grave concern.”

The ultimatum was issued on June 6, 2017, by a coalition of pan-Northern youth groups.

One of the groups, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, led by Shettima Yerima, had called for sustained and coordinated campaigns to remove Igbo people from the Northern region.

The ultimatum given to the Igbo people to leave the North had however been withdrawn following national condemnation.

While condemning the scenario, the experts recommended that any incident of hate speech and incitement to violence should “be investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted and punished.”

The experts, who said this in a statement sent to Saturday PUNCH by email on Friday, advised the Federal Government to take a firm action against hate speech and incitement to violence in the country.

They include the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Mr. Mutuma Ruteere; Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Mr. Fernand de Varennes; and Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Ms. Anastasia Crickley.

The experts said, “We are gravely concerned about this proliferation of hate messages and incitement to violence against the Igbo and their property, especially considering the previous history of such violence.

“The government must be vigilant, as hate speech and incitement can endanger social cohesion and threaten peace by deepening the existing tension between Nigeria’s ethnic communities.”

The experts said that some local and national figures, as well as some media representatives, had publicly denounced any form of hate speech and incitement, but added that other officials should follow suit.

The statement said, “We are deeply concerned that some prominent local leaders and elders have not condemned the ultimatum, hate speech, and the perpetrators.

“Those to be prosecuted and punished include people behind the ultimatum and those responsible for the creation, publication, and circulation of the hate song and audio message.”

Punching.com

Buhari Approves New Rail Line From Kano To Daura, Port-Harcourt To Maiduguri

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a rail line from Kano to his hometown in Daura, Jibia local government areas of Katsina state.

This was disclosed by Rotimi Ameachi, the minister of transportation, at The Osasu Show Symposium — which bothers on the economy and its effects on the less privileged — in Abuja on Friday.

According to Ameachi, the president also approved rail lines from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, Kano to Maiduguri, Makurdi to Jos, Gombe to Yobe to Borno, Jigawa to Niger Republic.

approved rail lines from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, Kano to Maiduguri, Makurdi to Jos, Gombe to Yobe to Borno, Jigawa to Niger Republic.

Amaechi said the transportation infrastructure in Nigeria has been mismanaged for many years, and so much has to be done to restore the railway activities, and drive the economy.

“GE came here and annouced that they would give us 100 locomotives, we did the audit of our; our narrow gauge can’t carry 17 locomotives, so by October 1st to October 2nd, we would be lauching about six to ten locomotives, because our narrow gauage cant carry more than that,” Amaechi said.

“Government said concession this narrow guage, and we have successfully done that to the extent that we are able to sign an agreement with GE. By October GE will take over the narrow guage and begin to run from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.

“When they stop at Umuahia, economic activities will be at Umuahia; the Umuahia station will become an economic hub. We the Ibos in Umuahia will be able to establish shops and sell goods we would like sell.

“That station from Port Harcourt to Aba, Aba to Umuahia, Umuahia to Enugu, Enugu to Makurdi, Makurdi to Jos, Jos to Bauchi, Bauchi to Gombe, Gombe to Borno.”
The cable.com

Re-visit 2014 confab report, restructuring–CSOs tell National Assembly

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria,   COSCON and the Operation Sanitize Nigeria OSAN,   have called on the National Assembly to re-visit the 2014 National Confab and see to the implementation of the aspects of the confab report  that can take Nigeria to another level. They also insist that the fiscal and structural restructuring of Nigeria as canvassed by several Nigerian groups is the only desideratum for lasting peace in Nigeria. In a statement made available to Vanguard, the groups lambasted Nigerian politicians for pitching Nigerians against each other for their selfish motives. “These politicians benefit from the tension in the country. They make more money when there is tension everywhere. “Is is not at this time when common and suffering youths from the North and the South are foolishly at each others throat that the National Assembly is buying exotic cars for their members? Is it not now that the security votes of governors and the president have even doubled? The more these misguided and “mu mu” youths whose future is being damaged are at each other’s throat, the more money is voted for security agents and the politicians and they smile to their banks. “When shall Nigerian youths learn their lessons? Is the suffering of the talakawa from Daura not the same with that of the pauperized man in   Mbaise? When will Nigerian youths take their fate into their hands? “A legislator in the National Assembly takes home jumbo pay running into millions of Naira every month and the minimum wage is eighteen thousand Naira and yet   all Nigerians go to the same market . What of our millions of unemployed youths? We have been bombarded with news of billions of Naira stolen by past politicians and militicians and thousands of houses and other assets they bought with their loots. Are these not what should dominate the concern of these youths giving quit notice and those agitating for one thing or another? Is it not here in Nigeria that top military officers pocketed monies meant for fighting soldiers in the North , East and purchased mansions with them, yet  even the suffering soldiers will quickly accede to dangerous orders to shoot at unarmed fellow suffering Nigerians” ? The CSOs said Nigeria must be built on the rule of law   and social justice and  move from big men to big   and enduring institutions. The president of the groups, Chuks Ibegbu and the Secretary, General Aminu Mohammed, however called on President Muhammadu Buhari to act like the father of the nation and carry every part of the country along . They also insisted that brutal force cannot solve problems of agitations in the country, but equity, justice and fairness to all parts of the country. They said: “The coalition will organise rallies in the 36 states and Abuja in the coming months to mend all broken fences and to interface with all sections of the country on the need to build a Nigeria based on equity , justice and fairness.” ‘Nigerian unity negotiable’ Meantime, two key Igbo groups , the Igbo Peoples Congress and the Igbo Aborigines have disagreed with President Muhammadu Buhari that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable. The two groups noted that Nigeria’s unity can only be non -negotiable if there is structural, fiscal and geo-political equity in the system. In a statement in Lagos, the groups said a section of the country cannot be cheating other sections or want the status quo to remain and be deceiving themselves that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable. “Which unity, a unity of the cat and the rat or a unity that favours them? Who owns 80 percent of the oil blocs in the Niger Delta?  Why has Kano State 44 local government areas  and Lagos 20 when Lagos is more populated than Kano? Why has the entire south east only 95 local government  areas  and five states when the north west  has 188 local government areas and seven states? Is that the kind of unity Buhari is talking about? If it is so , then its a unity of the grave yard and must be reviewed.” Bitterness of Arewa youths The groups wondered why Arewa youths are always embittered to the point of hatred on Nnamdi Kanu when at their backyard is Abubakar Shekau who has murdered more than 100,000 Nigerians in his insurrection against the Nigerian state. “We had expected people like Gujungu and Yerima to have suggested by now, a road map to end the Boko Haram terror in the North which even the Igbo have been paying heavily for. Instead of that, they are going about making money from the quit notice and hate songs they are spewing against Ndigbo in the North.” The groups however noted that a working Nigeria is still far better than a working Islamic republic in the North East or Niger Delta Republic or Middle belt republic or Oduduwa Republic or Biafra. “The problem now is how to make Nigeria work with the kind of wicked and selfish rulers we have everywhere. How can Nigeria work when a Senator takes home more than ten million naira every month, whereas another Nigerian with the same head takes home only eighteen thousand Naira a month and they go to the same market? This should be the concern of Gunjungu and Yerima and not Nnamdi Kanu. If Nigeria is well run and there is social justice, Nnamdi Kanu will have no reason for what he is doing now. This is a challenge to President Buhari rather than telling us how he and Ojukwu agreed that Nigeria must be one. Who was there when he and Ojukwu unilaterally took that decision?” The groups however called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid to rid the nation of corruption at all levels in the country   but wondered why all the past looting governors and political office holders are still enjoying their loots till now. The groups warned that corruption will continue to drag Nigeria to the mud unless tackled with vigour. They insisted that the 2014 Confab and restructuring Nigeria is the only way forward for the country.

VCs, ASUU reject 120 cut-off mark for varsity admission

SOME Vice-Chancellors and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have rejected the decision of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to peg admission cut-off mark at 120 for universities and 100 for polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education.

ASUU said the action, which it described as a “sad policy decision,” was in tandem “with the dream of the present government to destroy public universities in the country.”


Most of the vice-chancellors our correspondents interviewed on the issue maintained that they would not lower admission standards in their respective varsities.

The vice-chancellors stated that the decision would add no value to the nation’s university system.

For instance, in a statement issued by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, on the issue and released by his Media Assistant, Mr. Sunday Saanu, on Thursday,  the premier university stated that it would never admit any candidate that scored 120 in the UTME.

The statement added, “It should worry us as patriots that candidates who scored just 30 per cent in the UTME can be admitted into some of our universities. Yet, we complain of poor quality of our graduates. You can hardly build something on nothing. The consolation here is that since JAMB started conducting this qualifying exam in 1978, UI has never admitted any candidate who scored less than 200 marks out of the maximum 400 marks.

“This translates to a minimum of 50 per cent. This remains our position as an institution aspiring to be world-class. Reality is that only about four other universities in the country have such high standard. To that extent, apart from being the oldest, we are an elite university in the country at least judging by the quality of our intakes.’’

Olayinka, however, commended the decision of the Federal Government to re-introduce the post-UTME test and exonerated the incumbent JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, from the cancellation of the test two sessions ago.

“It is gratifying to note that the Honourable Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who chaired the meeting, apologised publicly for canceling the post-UTME screening last year.

“In effect, universities are now allowed to conduct the test using modalities approved by the Senate of each institution.

“To be fair to the incumbent Registrar of JAMB, he was not the Registrar when the policy somersault of cancelling the post-UTME test was made last year. As strongly canvassed by us at every opportunity, for UI, the need to admit the best admission seekers is the primary motivation for the test and not money, even though we do not pretend that you can run any university so properly called without funds.”

Speaking to one of our correspondents on Thursday, the Vice-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, Prof. Oluyemisi Obilade, said that the onus would ultimately fall on parents and employers of labour to decide “between a first-class graduate of a university which takes 120 as its cut-off mark or one that takes 180 as its cut-off mark.’’

Obilade, who said that TASUED would never go below 180, insisted that many of the VCs at the Combined Policy Meeting during which the 120 benchmark decision was made, said they would not go below 180.

She said, “But some universities chose 120 at the meeting. What the JAMB has done is to transfer power back to the Senate of universities to decide their cut-off marks.  What I can tell you is that many public universities and even private universities will not go below 200. We were told that some universities were doing what they called ‘under the table admission’ and then come back to JAMB after four years for regularisation.

“TASUED will not go below 180, not under my watch. Even in the United States, there is what we call Ivy League universities, and there are those you can call ‘Next Level Universities.’ There are also those that are termed community colleges. At the meeting, the outcome is that universities have been given the freedom to decide. It is not general legislation and it is not binding on everybody.’’

Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Chairman of ASUU at the University of Ibadan, Dr. Deji Omole, said it was the dream of the present government to destroy education in the country.

He said, “Rather than sanctioning the identified universities that admitted over 17,000 students illegally, the JAMB registrar simply regularised illegality and lowered cut-off marks to favour the interests of the friends of government who own private universities and are hell bent on destroying public education.”

Omole said it was vital for JAMB to be scrapped in order to save the nation’s education and its future. He said the board had outlived its usefulness and that prospective students should apply directly to universities of their choice for admission.

He said, “Where are the students that the JAMB registrar said entered universities illegally? Which universities admitted them? If 30 per cent did not take JAMB and found their way into the university system, is that not corruption and a message that JAMB is not significant anymore? What sanction did those who did the illegal thing receive other than regularisation of illegality.

“We are watching because long before now we have said that JAMB has outlived its usefulness. Let the universities set their unique standards and those who are qualified can come in. Scoring 120 out of 400 marks is 30 per cent. Even in those days, 40 per cent was graded as pass. But now JAMB said with F9 which is scoring 30 per cent you can be admitted.

“They deliberately want to destroy education. Even for polytechnic, 100 marks is 25 per cent. It is sad. And that is where we are in Nigeria. They want to destroy public education at all costs. This is not setting standard for education in Nigeria. It is purely lowering standards and digging grave for the future. This is why ASUU is currently on the struggle to influence the government to do the needful for education in Nigeria.”

Also, the Dean of Students Affairs, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Kayode Alese, who spoke on behalf of FUTA management, said that the institution would soon unveil its cut-off mark.

“However, I can assure you that FUTA has never gone as low as 120. It has never happened and it will never happen,” he said.

Alese added, “Having spoken for the university, my personal opinion is that the 120 cut-off mark will not add value to our education system.  The Federal Government has just increased the pass mark from 40 to 45 in universities. What that means is that you must score at least 45 for you to pass any course. We have enough candidates and yes you may try to increase access but tertiary education should be for those who have the capability.’’

Also, the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Tope Ogunmodede, said the institution would not admit any candidate with 120 UTME score.

He said, “Traditionally, OAU has never admitted students who scored below 200 in the UTME. For us, we are sticking to 200. The minimum benchmark is 120 but you can go higher than that. I expect that an institution should be able to determine the quality of its graduates because there are internal exams. What has been done is to provide a leeway for universities to decide their cut-off marks.”

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has described the reduction of the cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions as “a gross misplacement of priority and an exercise in futility.”

The organisation said that the reduction by JAMB, from 180 for universities and 165 polytechnics, to 120 and 100 respectively for the 2017 UTME, would translate to a disastrous outcome in the future.

The President of NANS, Chinonso Obasi, in a statement on Thursday, threatened that the decision would be resisted if JAMB refused to adhere to the status quo.

He said, “As critical stakeholders in the educational sector, NANS will vehemently resist the review and call on government to maintain the status quo and endeavour to conduct a comparative study and analysis of policies from other climes that support functional learning and production of young people that can compete with their peers globally.

 “Even with the current status, the general phenomenon is that Nigerian graduates are not employable. The lowering of standards will translate to a disastrous outcome in the future by churning out young people who cannot fit into the demands and expectations of the 21st century.’’

According to him, since the 21st century is being driven by innovation and competitiveness, lowering the entry level into tertiary institutions would only further contribute to reducing the productivity and peak performance of young people seeking admission into the country’s higher institutions of learning.

However, the Vice-Chancellor of the Christopher University, Ogun State, Prof. Friday Ndubuisi, said the new admission benchmark would have no negative implication on the quality of education.

He said, “This is not an imposition.  The cut-off mark is a minimum benchmark for admission. This idea of taking the UTME every year without getting admission is worrying. About 1.6 million candidates sat for the examination this year and about 500,000 will be admitted mostly because of the cut-off mark. Most universities will not go below 200, but with five credits obtained in two sittings, a person should be qualified for admission.  This is, however, not an imposition.  Universities still get to decide on whom to admit through the post-UTME.’’

By Oloyede

We now monitor social media for anti-govt, anti-military information – Defence spokesman

The activities of Nigerians on the social media are now being monitored for hate speech, anti-government and anti-security information by the military. Director of Defence Information, Major-General John Enenche, told Channels Television that the move became necessary in the light of troubling activities and misinformation capable of jeopardizing the unity of the country. His comments come less than 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari said in his national broadcast that some of the discussion on social media in his absence crossed the line and left him distressed. For Major General Enenche, the social media has always been a challenge all over the world and for the military, it is not different. “It is a double-edged sword and we are also having a bit of it,” he said when he appeared on Channels Television’s News At 10, hours after President Buhari met with service chiefs and ordered them to strengthen their operations. “Imagine when the President came back and addressed the nation, not up to 30 minutes later, a fake speech of the Commander-In-Chief was being circulated in order to do what? To derail the people. If you are not very sharp and if you didn’t listen to the speech or you don’t have a copy of it like I had it almost immediately, you wouldn’t know. So, looking at it from that perspective, it is a challenge everywhere.” Having observed the possibility that the social media can be misused the military has taken steps to address that. One of such steps is the establishment of strategic media centres. “What are we doing? In the military, we are now taking on it more seriously than ever. We have our strategic media centres that monitor the social media to be able to sieve out and react to all the ones that will be anti-government, be anti-military, (and) be anti-security,” the military chief continued. “We tackle them appropriately with appropriate responses. Ahead of that, we are also proactive. We have measures in place, scientific measures to be able to sieve this information and also to get the public and let them know that some of this information they are getting is not genuine are not true and their objective is an anti-corporate existence of this country.”

www.vanguardng.com

South-east Senators Meet Kanu, Call For Caution

The South East Caucus in the Senate has met with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu , members of the secession group over what it termed as the rising tension in the country.

Chairman of the Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia - South ), in a statement on Wednesday, said the meeting was held in his Ohuru, Obingwa country home in Abia State on Tuesday .

The statement quoted Abaribe as telling journalists after the meeting that IPOB and other agitators in the country should let their actions conform with Nigeria ’ s laws and avoid any form of violence and abuse the rights of other Nigerians.

The lawmaker said while the consensus was to have unity and a peaceful Nigeria where equity and fairness were entrenched and no group or region is treated as second class citizens, the caucus would always support and work for a united Nigeria .

Abaribe added that the caucus demanded a total restructuring of the country and devolution of powers in such a manner that would assuage the feeling of despondency , injustice and near rejection within the Nigerian state , “ which to us is the way to go . ”

He said , “ I thank Kanu for assuring (the caucus ) to conduct his members in a peaceful manner and within the ambits of the law. This engagement is a continuous process that will lead us to find a lasting solution to whatever grievances that necessitated the agitations in Nigeria.

“The caucus will accordingly meet as soon as we resume from recess to continue the engagement for the good of our people and our dear country.

All of us desire equality , equity, fairness in a peaceful and united Nigeria . ”

The IPOB leader was quoted as assuring the lawmakers that his group would remain non -violent in its agitation.

Kanu, however, insisted that the group remained resolute in its demand for a fair and just society which, according to him, is the spirit behind the agitation for Biafra through a referendum.

“We are not afraid in our quest. What I promise my elder brother (Abaribe) is that we shall never fail them by resorting to violence . We can't and it has never been our approach, ” he said.

Leke Baiyewu, Abuja

Rats Invasion: Buhari Is The Worst President Ever - Mike Ozekhome

Human rights lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) on Tuesday condemned the presidency for saying President Muhammadu Buhari would work from home because rats invaded his office.

Ozekhome said Buhari’s presidency carelessly disrespects Nigerians, describing it as the worst since amalgamation by Lord Lugard and his wife, Flora Shaw.

He said: “It is a very shameful and disgraceful statement that emanated from the presidency to the effect that PMB, after a whole 104 days abroad on medical grounds, cannot work from his office because of rats and rodents.

“So, a whole Julius Berger, the German construction giant has to be called in to drive them away and repaint the office!

“This statement further derides and shames Nigeria as a country. Why didn’t the same, or similar rodents pursue Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan during their presidency?

“There is another mini office at the villa quite different from the official residence and main office. Let Buhari work from there. Let’s see our president working, not through still photo shopping. For how long will this government take the Nigerian citizens for a ride and for robots?

“Who told the image makers we are as brainless as they are? Don’t they know that lies have expiry date and that propaganda cannot substitute for image making? Goebel was a fantastic World War propagandist, but failed woefully as information minister.

“Let this opaque government of barefaced misinformation, lies, deceit and cluelessness know that its directionlessness and incapacity to govern are hurting this country badly.

“The economy is in horrific tatters, image bald-battered, security shattered, governance mangled and transparency and accountability interred. Nigeria is today more divided, more hate-inebriated, more crisis- ridden and more dangerous precipice-prone than ever before.

“Nigeria is today more derided, more excoriated and more corrupt than it has ever been. Nigeria has never had it so bad since her forced amalgamation on January 1,1914, by imperious Lord Lugard and his wife Flora Lugard”, he told Thisday.

By Wale Odunsi

FG may adopt selective minimum wage increase –Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government may consider increasing workers’ remuneration package, especially bonuses of certain government agencies, instead of increasing wages across board.

According to a transcript made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President spoke during a session titled, ‘Conversation with the Vice-President’ at the 2017 Nigerian Bar Association National Conference held in Lagos on Monday.

Osinbajo said though the issue of better pay for workers was a good suggestion, the government was “in a bind of sorts.”

He said at the moment, the government was spending 70 per cent of its revenues on remuneration and overheads, leaving less than 30 per cent for capital expenditure.

He said while it was correct that the country needed a more efficient civil service that would be paid more, there was also the need to increase revenues.

Osinbajo said, “Sometimes, it is a chicken and egg situation because in order to increase revenues, we need to increase remuneration.

“I think that what we are probably going to end up doing is what we have done with some of the parastatals; in other words, identifying certain government services that must be remunerated differently in order to increase efficiency. One of the revenue generating agencies, for instance, is the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

“Improving remuneration, especially bonuses, would do a lot of good. That we saw happen in Lagos with the Lagos Inland Revenue Service, where because there were bonuses, there was improvement in revenue and reform. People were able to do better, even in our judicial system. Because we paid better; we remunerated better, people were able to improve.”

The Vice-President said the commitment of the present administration was to leave Nigeria with all the resources that could be brought to the table.

He said it was also the desire of the administration to leave the country with transparency and efficiency in all aspects.

Meanwhile, Osinbajo has called on the management of ECOWAS Investment Bank to increase agricultural funding in order to reduce the level of poverty and unemployment in the sub region.

He said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 15th Annual General Meeting of the board of governors of the bank.

He said the need to boost funding to the agricultural sector became imperative as it held the key to unlocking the growth and prosperity of the continent.

He said the current situation where economies of various countries were facing falling government revenues on the account of commodity price slumps, declining economic growth and the challenge of creating jobs necessitated the need for the bank to step up its intervention in member countries.

The VP said the economic challenges had put greater pressure on governments of the member states to urgently diversify their economies.

He said, “The population of the sub region is a youthful one, 70 per cent of our population is under 35 (years) with all the implications for providing education and livelihood.

“So, the challenges of today call for greater creativity, and foresight in supporting and making investments in our member countries.

“So one of the crucial issues today, which would decisively impact the future is how the bank can make a difference in the lives of our young people.”

Osinbajo acknowledged the support of the bank, but noted that there was a need to galvanise more resources to enable it to effectively achieve its mandate.

The President of the Bank, Bashir Ifo, in his speech at the event, said during the 2016 financial year, 11 projects amounting to $121.5m were appraised.

Punch.com

IPOB not a terrorist organisation say ECA, ILT as Security chiefs get orders on B-Haram, IPOB, others

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, directed service chiefs and heads of security operatives to arrest all security threats against the unity of the country. The marching order came after a closed-door meeting the service chiefs and other security agencies had with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. IPOB members at Federal High Court Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting which lasted over three hours, Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Gabriel Olonishakin, said the directive was to promote the unity of the country and protect lives and property of the citizenry. He said the security chiefs were told to enhance their operations and ensure that troops carried out their assignments effectively. He said: “We have been meeting with Mr. President for the last three hours. All we have done is to update him on all security issues around the country, within the country and outside the country where our troops are. “Of course, we have just updated him because he is aware of what’s been happening. He has been receiving regular briefings from the Acting President and he has also been going through the print and electronic media to follow the happenings within the country. “After the meeting, he gave directives on some areas we should look at so as to enhance our operations in the country. “In his address, he talked about the unity of the nation which is non-negotiable and all the military have been fully instructed to ensure that that directive is carried out to the letter.” On whether there was a directive from President Buhari on alleged composition of secret service by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, he said:  “The issues of security, every security threat, all security threats were treated one after the other — ranging from terrorism to kidnapping, herdsmen/farmers clash, to the IPOB issue, all were treated. Comments were made as to what to do as regards those issues.” Asked whether the military was mobilizing forces to the South-East as a result of IPOB’s continuous agitation for self-determination of State of Biafra, Olonishakin said: “Every security (issue), like I said, has been treated and we are going to enhance our operations in all the areas we need to do that. “Like I said, he has given the necessary directives which will be carried out by the military and the security agencies.” On the assurance the service chiefs gave to the President on his directive, the Defence chief said: “The assurance is that he also directed that we must ensure that the lives and properties of the citizens are protected and we must make sure that we secure the whole nation and also that troops that are outside carry out their jobs effectively.” On the renewed onslaught of the Boko Haram in the North East, he said:  “On the Boko Haram issue, you all know it is asymmetric warfare. It is not that the Boko Haram has stepped up their game, it is just the issue of suicide bombing that has been the problem. “Of course, we are also working with intelligence agencies to make sure that we address that menace.” It’s a wrong approach—Afenifere Reacting, pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, said the President’s order was a wrong approach. Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, who spoke for the group, said:  “I do not think the President should deal with Boko Haram and IPOB in the same breath. Boko Haram and IPOB are not the same. “While Boko Haram is a terrorist organization that goes about bombing people and places, IPOB is an open organization. What IPOB has done is to call for a sit-at-home but Boko Haram is a terrorist group, except you want IPOB to go underground like Boko Haram. “It is a wrong approach. You cannot treat Boko Haram and an open organization like IPOB in the same manner.” We’re not  surprised, but  IPOB’s not a  terrorist  organisation —ECA, Igbo leaders In its reaction, Eastern Consultative Assembly, ECA, through its Secretary, Evangelist Elliot Ugochuchukwu-Uko, said:  “We are not surprised; it is part of the hatred. He can lump IPOB together with ISIS. We even expect him to change the name of Enugu to Islamabad. “We are asking that Nigeria be restructured. Those killed  before were not armed and did not commit any known offence. “What we are saying is that Nigeria must be restructured, nothing more and nothing less. It is part of Buhari’s hatred for Ndigbo but we are resolute that Nigeria must be restructured. IPOB is not a terrorist organization and we are not surprised with this horrifying decision. Also, the Igbo Leaders of Thought , ILT, said it would rather watch than comment on the explosive situation. The secretary, Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi, said: “We won’t talk now; let’s watch the development. Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 in Bible tells us that there is time for everything. It says that to everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” What IPOB’s doing is legal  —IPOB Ebonyi Also reacting, the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in Ebonyi State, said the President’s order was divisive and did not address issues necessary for national unity and development. In a statement in Abakaliki, the Deputy Coordinator of IPOB in Ebonyi State, Mr. Ugochukwu Nweke, said: “What IPOB is doing is legal and we are not afraid. The President should address Boko Haram in the North-East, the unfortunate quit notice by the Arewa youths, how to boost the economy and the welfare of citizens in Nigeria.  He doesn’t have the right to threaten IPOB or any group.”


By Emeka Mamah, Dapo Akinrefon, Peter Okutu & Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA.

Quit Notice To Igbos: Arewa Youths Change Their Minds, Reconsider Igbos

Arewa Youths met with Buhari s political adviser , Senator Babafemi Ojudu and resolved to reconsidered quit notice t Igbos.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu had a lengthy and resourceful meeting with leaders of the Coalition of Northern Groups today. They were the youths who some weeks ago shocked the nation by issuing a notice to the Igbos to quit the Northern part of the country on or before October 1.
After the meeting they resolved to reconsider their position and this will be made known at a press conference on Thursday.Disclosing the news,Senator Ojudu said...

'Had a lengthy and resourceful meeting with leaders of the Coalition of Northern Groups today. They were the youths who some weeks ago shocked the nation by issuing a notice to the Igbos to quit the Northern part of the country on or before October 1.

After the meeting they resolved to reconsider their position and this will be made known at a press conference on Thursday .
They described their action as Pre-emptive because of the incessant threat of war by IPOB'.

JAMB pegs varsity admission cut-off mark at 120, poly 100

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board on Tuesday pegged the minimum cut-off mark for admissions into universities for the 2017/2018 academic year at 120.

The decision was taken together with vice-chancellors, rectors and provosts of higher institutions in the country at a combined policy meeting on admissions into universities, polytechnics and other higher institutions in Nigeria in Abuja on Tuesday.

The stakeholders also adopted 100 as the minimum cut-off mark for admission into polytechnics.

They agreed that admission into first choice universities should close on October 15 while December 15, 2017 was set as the closing date for second choice admission by institutions.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said universities should not go below the minimum 120 cut-off point adopted by the meeting for admissions.

He called for the adoption of flexible cut-off marks for admission processes by higher institutions in the country.

 He said, “What JAMB has done is to recommend; we will only determine the minimum, whatever you determine as your admission cut-off mark is your decision.

“The Senate and academic boards of universities should be allowed to determine their cut-off marks.”

The registrar said the board discovered over 17,160 illegally admitted students by higher institutions, adding that the body had regularised some of them.

He said, “30 per cent of those in higher institutions do not take JAMB or have less than the cut-off marks.

“The admission process is now automated with direct involvement of the registrar of JAMB for final approval.

“We have agreed to regularise admissions that were done under the table this year. From next year, we will not accept anything like that.”

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, described as a mistake the Federal Government’s ban on tests conducted by universities after the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations.

He explained that post-UTME was banned because it had become an avenue for corruption.

Adamu however encouraged higher institutions to conduct aptitude tests for candidates seeking admission and pegged the fee for the test at N2,000.

Kudos, knocks as Nigerians react to Buhari’s broadcast

Nigerians on Monday were diverse in their opinions on Buhari’s first broadcast to Nigerians after a 104-day medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

While some described the speech as all encompassing, others saw it as lacking in matters that affected Nigerians.

An elder statesman and chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, faulted the President’s position that Nigeria’s unity was not open to negotiation.

READ: Full text of President Buhari’s speech

He said the President’s statement showed that he was unaware of the country’s mood.

Adebanjo stated that since the country’s past presidents and eminent Nigerians also called for restructuring to address the lopsidedness in the country, Buhari’s position only showed that a section of the country was not comfortable with the idea.

He said, “If anyone opposes restructuring, the person is the number one enemy of this country. If Buhari should continue talking this way, he is the number one enemy of Nigeria. He should not confuse us because we are not schoolchildren. Nobody is talking about the unity of Nigeria. We are talking about addressing the condition of our coming together on agreeable terms. The more he talks like this, the more it shows that he is not sincere about Nigeria. We said let us restructure the country; he referred us to the National Council of State and National Assembly. These are the products of the constitution imposed on us by the military which we are complaining about. Can we make progress with the political instability in the country?  The statement does not show that he knows the mood of the country.”

The apex socio-cultural umbrella of Urhobo people, Urhobo Progress Union, also described the broadcast as a mere “thank you address short of concrete plans to address the burning national issues in the country.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the group, Chief Abel Oshevire, said in a statement on Monday that Nigerians had expected Mr. President to address various burning issues in concrete terms, including IPOB, restructuring and the menace of Fulani herdsmen.

He said, “We had expected that the president would have taken his time to address issues of Biafra, restructuring, menace of Fulani cattle rearers, increased Boko Haram insurgence and complaints of marginalisation, among others, to assuage the fears of Nigerians and assure them of the Federal Government’s determination to proffer solutions to them.

“We see the president’s speech as a thank you address to Nigerians for their prayers and good wishes for his recovery. We are waiting for Mr. President to address Nigerians on the real issues agitating their minds.”

The suspended Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriation, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, likened Buhari’s broadcast to a coup speech.

Jibrin, in a tweet on Monday, wrote, “Fair for everyone to have ideas and expectations, but I did not expect PMB to read a speech this morning like he was announcing a coup d’état.”

Also, a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, described the broadcast as a “terrible case of missed opportunity”.

“I can give an instant Citizen’s feedback to President Muhammadu Buhari that his speech this morning was a terrible case of missed opportunity,” she wrote in her twitter handle.

The President of the Ijaw Youths Council, Mr. Pereotubo Oweilaemi, said on the telephone that the body was opposed to the President’s position that Nigeria’s unity was not negotiable.

He said, “I disagree with the President’s assertion that Nigeria is not negotiable, I don’t think that is the part we should still be talking about. We must negotiate, we must discuss, if you say we cannot discuss the unity of this country, then you are compounding the problem.”

Southern leaders to react Wednesday

Leaders of socio-cultural groups in the South-West, South-South and South-East say they will meet on Wednesday after which they will make their position known.

A competent source on Monday said, “Ijaw Youth Council, Afenifere, Ohaneze Ndigbo and Pan Niger Delta Forum have digested the contents of the President’s speech and would respond to it accordingly on Wednesday.

“The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, Edwin Clark-led PANDEF, the President of IYC, Eric Omare, and Afenifere’s leader will jointly address the press,” the source said.

The spokesperson for Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, and Clark confirmed the plan to hold the press briefing in separate statements.

But the Yoruba Council of Elders enjoined Buhari to constitute a forum where ethnic groups in Nigeria would be able to table their agitations and grievances.

The Secretary General of YCE, Dr Kunle Olajide, called on Buhari to sustain the reconciliatory effort made by Osinbajo in addressing grievances of ethnic groups in the country, while also saying that it was important for the President to realise that Nigeria needed to be restructured to strengthen its unity.

Olajide said, “The president must not shy away from the fact that there is agitation from all zones in the country. “We want to observe that general grievances cannot be addressed by threats, stiff legislation and force of arms. Buhari must constitute a forum where every group will table its grievances and agitation for Nigeria to remain united.”

 ACF, others back Buhari

A pan-socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, however, supported Buhari.

The ACF, in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad  Biu, said indeed the nation’s unity was not negotiable.

The northern body commended the President’s broadcast, which it said was all encompassing, especially on the unity and indivisibility of the country.

It said, “The ACF supports the position of government on the issues of restructuring and the channels of addressing genuine grievances through the appropriate democratic institutions such as the legislature and the judiciary.’’

On its part, the Coalition of   Northern   Groups, which gave a notice to quit to the Igbo in the North, said it supported any move that would ensure sanity in the country.

The coalition noted that the President’s speech was a reiteration of what the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, had said “at the last Council of State meeting that he chaired.”

It said, “We are in total support of any move by government to bring about sanity in the country and to finally bring an end to all divisive agitations and separatist tendencies.”

Also, a northern elder statesman and Chairman of the Northern Elders Council, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, said the address by Buhari should “naturally” end the agitations for secession in parts of the country.

Yakasai said, “I also believe that the unity of this country is not negotiable. At a constitutional conference before independence, a request was made that a clause empowering regions to secede should be included in our constitution. I recall that the conference unanimously rejected that clause.

“The decision made then is binding on us even after independence. There is no singular provision for secession. The president said the National Assembly and the Council of State are the only platforms for discussing issues of this country.”

Similarly, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Monday, hailed Buhari’s speech.

He described it as “outstanding,” adding that the President was apt on issues affecting the country.

Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke at the national headquarters of the party, Abuja, said, “Mr. President is correct to say that the stability of this nation, the unity of this nation, the peace of this nation and the security of ordinary Nigerians are the key issues at this material time.”

He said the President’s speech was not tough on those clamouring for political restructuring.

He said, “The President did not insinuate in his speech that those clamouring for restructuring and the rest cannot discuss. You can discuss; the only issue that is out of bounds is the unity of this nation.”

Also, the deputy national chairman of the APC (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, on Monday, said the President’s speech, among other important issues, was specifically aimed at reassuring Nigerians of their safety in any part of the country.

He said, “One major point from the speech is the President’s determination to nip in the bud the purported notice to quit given by some misguided youths in the north, as well as their counterparts elsewhere who have been heating up the polity by fanning the embers of discord.”

Buhari’s speech, a missed opportunity – PDP

The main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has described the President’s speech as a missed opportunity to reconnect with Nigerians.

The party said the speech, which was aimed at intimidating Nigerians, did not address pertinent issues the citizens expected their President to tackle.

The statement, which was signed by the Head of Administration of the party, Chinwe Nnorom, said Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief when their President arrived in the country after more than three months in London.

It said, “When last Friday the Presidency issued a statement intimating the people of the imminent return of President Buhari to the country after his more than three-month medical vacation in London with, not a few Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief, thanking God for delivering our President and expectantly looked forward to a robust speech that would boost the confidence of the people in the capacity of the government to continue to take on the huge challenges of governance.

“However, rather than rekindle that hope and confidence, that speech can most charitably be described as a monumental anticlimax.

“The President and his handlers missed a golden opportunity to reconnect with the people through addressing issues that have direct bearing on their well-being and those of their children and dependents.

“Indeed, the President’s speech did not contain anything new. The PDP had had cause to commend the then Acting President for going round the country to engage with relevant stakeholders, which certainly was a better approach.”

The party added that its believed that rather than rehashing the worn-out clichés about Nigeria’s unity not being negotiable, Nigerians would have loved to hear their President come out definitively to tell them what realistic measures his government intended to take to uproot the causes of the perennial agitations that were becoming a recurring decimal in the national discourse.

The statement added, “The casual mention of ‘elements of Boko Haram, kidnappings, farmers versus herdsmen clashes, among others, was also somewhat on the perfunctory side and does not imbue confidence.

“President Buhari returned to the country in a week that saw the closure of all our public universities as a result of the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

“Yet, not even a whimper from our President. Has the future of the future leaders of our country sunk so low in the estimation of our current leaders that the issue was considered not important enough to command a mention in the President’s address?

Stories by: Sesan Olufowobi, Fidelis Soriwei, Olusola Fabiyi, Olufemi Atoyebi, Gbenga Adeniji, Adelani Adepegba, Olaleye Aluko, Afeez Hanafi, Godwin Isenyo and Ovie Okpare

Punch.com