Nigeria: The blind leading the blind

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Read Time:5 Minute, 23 Second

RECENTLY, Ralph Uwazurike, the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), called for a one day sit-at-home.

I was deeply disturbed that people, especially in Onitsha, heeded his call. But then, the masses barely think, and consequently, are susceptible to political manipulation

No wonder, Adolf Hitler once told an aide, “never worry about what to tell the people because you can tell them anything and they will believe, and the bigger the lie, the more believable it is to them”. It also partially explains why the masses, irrespective of their number, strength and righteous anger, cannot get anything done, unless, they are directed strategically, that is, led. Ralph Uwazurike is an uninformed activist who is strategically misdirecting the Igbo masses.

I once met Ralph Uwazurike. He was in Washington, DC with Chukwuemeka Ojukwu for the opening of the Biafran “House”. Eager to assess this then emergent secessionist activist, I listened to him very attentively and observed him very closely.

After the event, I penned my opinion of him thus:“Uwazurike is not a sober and reflective crusader on a planned mission with carefully articulated strategies and objectives. He is an impetus man dabbling recklessly into an issue with potentially momentous consequences. He lacks both charisma and oratorical flourishes.

He is neither a scholar nor an intellectual; a philosopher nor a deep thinker; a sophisticate nor a cosmopolite. He is a homespun boyish looking man, with an air of arrogance or the self-importance of a parvenu gloating in his new found prominence.”

They were to cut the tape, declaring the Biafran “House” open. They were about four hours late. Tired of waiting for them, Prof. Elekwachi of the Biafran Foundation proceeded to cut the tape and declare the Biafran “House” open. About 30 minutes later, Ojukwu, his wife, Bianca, and Uwazurike arrived.

Ojukwu spoke first. He apologised profusely for their lateness. Uwazurike made no apology for his lateness. Evidently, not happy that the Biafran “House” was declared open before their arrival, he said, “you could have gone ahead and done whatever you wanted but whatever you did in the absence of Ojukwu and I was useless”.

I was stunned and offended by his bare-faced imprudence. I though it was insensitive and insolent. Even, if it was the President of the United States of America who kept his maids and houseboys  waiting for four hours, he would have been polite enough to offer them an apology, no matter how understated.

So, who is this boorish upstart thrust into the limelight by prattling his neo-Biafran nonsense who thinks he could keep more than 100 men and women, some of them older than him, waiting for more than four hours and not only refuses to apologise for his lateness, but also, had the temerity to term whatever they did in his absence useless.

I was dismayed by his delusion of grandeur and false feeling of indispensability. He continued, “Initially, I did not know what I was doing, but, as democracy allows self expression, I decided to express myself”. So, I started talking about Biafra, and as people started listening to me, I continued.

I believe that up till now, he still does not know what he is doing. He needs to stop “talking about Biafra,” and first of all, endeavour to know what he is doing. He needs to be tutored on the history of Nigeria and her social and political temperament, the strengths and weaknesses of the Igbo nation, and the principles of Nonviolence (which, according to him, informs his activism). And then, the absurdity of his neo-Biafranism will crystallize to him.

Nigeria is not breaking up because the generality of Nigerians, despite their vociferous denunciations of Nigeria for her multiple woes, are committed to a united Nigeria. The early attempt to create Biafra was the pipe-dream of someone who in his studied disdain for reason and caution scorned the advice of his father and Nnamdi Azikiwe and railroaded his self-appointed Consultative Assembly into assenting to his secessionist bid.

Unlike the masses that were whipped into a paranoiac frenzy by Ojukwu’s propaganda and falsehood, the politically perceptive Igbo were opposed to Biafra. Like Sir Louis Odumwgwu Ojukwu (before his death) and Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Igbo political class was opposed to Biafra. However, intimidated by Ojukwu’s broad-stroke labelling and chastisement of anyone who disagreed with him as saboteur, they grudgingly conceded, “you can declare Biafra at your earliest possible convenience.” It was not a heartfelt, firm endorsement but the reluctant consent of an intimidated Assembly.

Since those nightmare days when the Igbo defeated, battered and tattered stumbled out of the last vestiges of Biafra, we have made enormous progress across the whole spectrum of the Nigerian social life and gained the respect and confidence of other Nigerians.

Uwazurike is undermining the credibility of the Igbo. He is portraying the Igbo as subversive, unreliable and troublous elements and implacable, irredeemable rebels.

Igbo land is landlocked with large tracts of infertile land and a population density three times that of Yoruba land. But countervailing these disadvantages are the Igbo’s admirable qualities of courage, determination, hard-edged work ethic and enterprising vigor. Our boundless resourceful energies and effervescent entrepreneur spirit are unyieldingly spilling beyond the confines of our regional borders, and have thus, driven us to every nook and cranny of Nigeria. Operating within an expanded frontier – one Nigeria – is to our advantage.

Although MASSOB operatives are sometimes armed and violent, Uwazurike professes that he is guided by the principles of Nonviolence Civil Disobedience in his struggle for the actualization of his Sovereign State of Biafra. To appreciate the incongruity of this method with the Nigerian political environment and his agitation for Biafra, he needs to read the writings of major proponents of nonviolent protest: David Thoreau, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

The Igbo masses, like the masses, universally, are not politically savvy, and therefore need to be directed strategically. The man, Ralph Uwazurike, arrogating to himself the role of directing them, admittedly, does not know what he is doing. Is that not a classic case of the metaphorical blind leading the blind?

Mr.  TOCHUKWU EZUKANMA, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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BOMB SHELL: Pastor Who Predicted Death of First Lady’s Mother, Says Tinubu is Next to go

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Read Time:42 Second

Pastor Chris Okafor, the General Overseer of Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry is saying that he had predicted the recent death of Patience Jonathan’s foster mother.

The clergyman says that he had said that there would be death in the President’s household.

The death was meant to take away someone close to them mysteriously.

It is said that there however was a way to avert the death if the president’s household ‘showed interest’.

The preacher is now advising Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be ware because some the people strongly opposed to him have made a vow to ensure he does not see May 29, 2015. VIA ireporterstv.co
He also spoke to the people of Anambra State saying that Senator Chris Ngige will rule over them for another term

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Fashola Launches Nigeria’s First E-ticketing for BRT Buses

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Read Time:2 Minute, 30 Second
Mr Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State governor, yesterday launched the new electronic ticketing (e-ticket) system for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses under the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to bring world best practice in transportation to the state.
Fashola who launched the e-ticket system, first of its kind in the country at the BRT CMS Terminal in Marina, said with the digitalised system it was now possible for commuters to pay as low as N20 for short distance journey.
According to him, the introduction was to make the transportation system via BRT buses more efficient and fast for both operators and users.
The governor represented by his deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, saidusers of BRT buses with the e-ticket can pay less for travel time as well as make the process of ticketing more user friendly.
He said, “We have over the years strived to ensure that we have very effective and reliable transportation system on the road, on water and on rail system. From the event of today, what we have done is to make road infrastructure more attractive, more reliable and more efficient for those who chose to use this service, especially those at the grassroots who will make use of this from today.
“It will give users the opportunity to save, instead of paying N120 or N70, you can pay as low as N20 for a journey from Mile 12 to Ojota, you can also buy a week or a month worth on your card depending on your travel time which is more effective and makes the process efficient and fast.”
Fashola explained that the e-ticket system is a step in the right direction as the state government continually seeks to improve its intra-model transportation system.
According to him, “We have looking forward to attaining the transportation system that obtains in developed countries and as we are developing our model befitting of a mega city state”.
Earlier, Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola said the e-ticketing system is being developed not just for the BRT buses but for other means of transportation like ferries and trains that would take off soon in the state.
“This e-ticketing model is to make it easier for passengers to be able to travel at ease making use of this system. It is equitable, simple, easier for collection, easy for control of operators, it is attractive to both users also for the administrators as well as the operators.
“It has intra-modal abilities which at the end of the day you can use it for not just the buses, you can also use it for ferry and on train eventually and it has a simple pairing and sharing methodology”, Mobereola added.
LAMATA boss said each of the BRT buses is equipped with an automated fare collection system that the commuters can use when they embark on their journey to when they disembark from the bus.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Imo women threaten to go naked over failed roads

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Read Time:1 Minute, 45 Second

Residents of Nekede, Eziobodo and Ihiagwa communities in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State have threatened to go naked in protest over the terrible condition of roads in the area.

The aggrieved villagers, who were mostly women, said they would take to the street to protest what they called government’s indifference to the plight of the people, saying the three communities had been cut off from the entire state.

They said despite the fact that the communities jointly played host to two federal tertiary institutions namely Federal Polytechnic, Nekede and Federal University of Technology, and other Federal Government’s institutions, with the attendant high vehicular movements, the federal and the state governments have remained non-challant to the people’s ordeal.

Speaking with journalists, spokesperson of the women, Lady Mariam Oziri, said: “We decided to do something absurd to attract the attention of the insensitive government and if nothing is done, we will mobilize women and march naked to the Government House.

“We are tired of excuses every year. The state government has been playing hide and seek with one contractor who was said to have been awarded the contract by the previous administration and each year the road continues to deteriorate and this has affected commerce and exposed residents to untold hardship.”

Lady Oziri said the deplorable condition of the roads had forced motorists to hike transport fares thereby multiplying the woes of the people, especially students of the two higher institutions in the area.

The construction of the Nekede-Ihiagwa Road was earlier engulfed in controversy as the contractor, Hadel and Enic, dragged the state government to court when Governor Rochas Okorocha revoked the contract.

However, the contractor had severally denied reports that the pending suit was responsible for the delay in the construction of the road.

An inside source in the Government House, who pleaded anonymity, told Daily Sun that the contract for the construction of the road had been awarded, adding that work would commence on the road immediately after the rains.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Joe Igbokwe throws weight behind deportation of Igbos by Lagos Govt

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Read Time:6 Minute, 34 Second

A prominent Igbo son in Lagos this afternoon threw his weight behind the deportation of his kinsmen and women by the Lagos State Government. Engineer Joe Igbokwe, a radical newspaper publisher and politician from Nnewi in Anambra State, launched a robust defence of the action in an article which he published on his Facebook page. In the article entitled “The So-called Onitsha Deportation: Time To Put The Records Straight and Stop All The Lies”, Igbokwe, the Lagos Publicity Secretary of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and General Manger of the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), wrote:

“Since the movement of some destitutes from Lagos to Onitsha in Anambra State to re-unite with their families as requested, many have decided to play politics with it. Many have called it deportation, some called it descent to Nazism, some gave it ethnic colouration while some said it is the story of Nigerians made ‘illegal aliens’ in their country.

“The truth of the matter is that Lagos has said that it will not accept a situation where people enter buses from Sokoto, Ibadan or Onitsha or Aba to come to Lagos to beg and in the night sleep under the bridges and roads sides and thereby constituting danger to themselves and to the society at large. Some women among them have been raped or sexually abused. Some of them have been recruited into armed robbery and some other gangs. Some have been used for ritual purposes. Some have been killed and dumped.

“Most of these people are picked up mentally retarded, terribly abused, sexually dehumanized, hungry, weak, and memory lost. What Lagos does is to pick them up and take them to rehabilitation centres. There, they are rehabilitated, until they are strong enough to talk and give account of themselves. Some of them after recovery may decide to engage themselves by joining skill acquisition centres we have all over Lagos, some may decide to join their kits and kins in their States of origin. After interrogations and investigations those willing to go are taken to a central place close to their towns to find their way. They are provided with logistics for that. Even though they may not admit it just to get sympathy and attention.

“The so-called Onitsha deportation is not the first time this has been done. Lagos has taken destitutes to Oyo, Osun and some States in the North in the past. Lagos has gone to Akwa Ibom recently to pick her destitutes too.

“Before moving these destitute to Onitsha, Lagos State Government wrote to Anambra State Government on the matter and there was no reply until the State decided to move them to Onitsha. Now the political jobbers call this deportation. Lagos does not deport people. Lagos is the home of all Nigerians. But Lagos frowns at people who come to Lagos to become a threat to security of lives and property. It borders on security issues.

“Millions of Ndigbo living in Lagos are critical stakeholders in the State. They control all the markets. They control commerce. 80% of rich South Easterners made their fortunes in Lagos. They are in transport, commerce, engineering, oil & gas, construction, estate, banking and finance, artisans etc. Now, tell me how Lagos has been deporting other Nigerians. Are we saying that Lagos has brought 1000 Luxurious Buses and moved from street to street, forcefully ejecting Igbo people from their houses packed them inside buses and moved to the East? A school of thought has said that there should be a balance between citizens’ rights and confronting security challenges. Lagos does not indulge in irresponsible, dishonest and unquestionable activities. Decisions are taken in the overall interest of Lagosians, Ndigbo inclusive. It is all about security.

"Lagos is the only State in Nigeria where almost every graduate heads to after graduation, it is a place to be in terms of anything business, it is the commercial hub of Nigeria, the ‘heads’ of all Nigerians and city you can call your own if you abide by the rules. It is the economic nerve-centre of Nigeria. Lagos is the pride of Nigeria.

“The Governor of Lagos State is an exceptional governor, a detribalized Nigerian, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who is level-headed, disciplined and lettered. He does not engage in meaningless and frivolous things. He understands the strength, of diversity and plurality in a State like Lagos. He knows also that all ethnic nationalities drive the economy of Lagos. He cannot toy with the destiny of Lagos.

“Politics of 2015 is fast approaching. I know that ethnic chance takers, political opportunists and the rudderless opposition in Lagos have been taking advantage of the so-called Onitsha deportation to score cheap political points. No, it can never happen. We have to set the records straight. Boko Haram is a security challenge in Lagos as well as the whole of Nigeria. People say Lagos is the safest State in Nigeria. Yes, I agree but remember Lagos has achieved this as a result of activities, taking hard, drastic and tough decisions, within the rules of engagements and rules of law to get things done.

“I have been in Lagos since 1986 and I know the situation here. I work for Lagos in various capacities. Mr. Ben Akabueze has been working for Lagos as Commissioner for Budget & Planning for years now. There are also countless of Igbos working in various parastatals, Agencies, and Local Governments. I know the strength of my people here. I know that they have made great successes here more than what they have in the whole of South East. Let us not play politics with this matter. Let us show understanding.”

•Photo shows Engr. Joe Igbokwe.

Source News Express

 

Reaction by Uche Ezechukwu (Abuja), via Facebook:

Chief Joe Igbokwe is a 'massa'. A massa in the days of slavery in the Americas was a black slave who was made to oversee fellow slaves on behalf of the white slave owner. He is usually more cruel than the white owners and goes out of his way to inflict excess punishment on his kind in other to curry the favour of his master. That is exactly what the spirited defence of the disgraceful deportation and dumping of fellow Igbo by Lagos fascists amounts to. The shameless igbo renegade claims that LASG wrote to Anambra State for what? To tell us that you would be dumping our people at the dead of the night like heaps of rubbish? Unthinking idiot! So, how come you dropped non-Anmabrarians?
Come to Nnewi and make this explanation, Chief Igbokwe!

 

Reaction by John Ikechukwu Azubuike, via Facebook:

I don't really understand how people rationalize somethings…LASG doesn't have the right to force anybody out of the state…what is the rationale for dumping them at Upper Iweka in the middle of the night? So their "Igbo brothers" can take care of them? If that's not extreme tribalism, I wonder what is…anyway, as long as Lagos is part of the FGN, has FG infrastructure, and enjoys monthly oil money distribution, buses will keep loading from Upper Iweka and bridgehead everyday…there's nothing Joe Igbokwe and his people can do about that.

Reaction by Enyinnaya E. Appolos, via Facebook:

Joe Igbokwe…my only worry is his surname, Igbokwe. However, he missed the point. Did I hear him say that Lagos went to Akwa Ibom to pick her destitutes? Liar. Lagos State does not have any destitute anywhere, if there is, certainly not in Akwa Ibom, where the government of Akpabio has given free education children in the state not minding their states of origin.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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UK Visa bond: We will retaliate,Nigeria Govt insists

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Read Time:3 Minute, 14 Second

THE Federal Government on Tuesday insisted on retaliatory action  against  British citizens if their government  went ahead  with  its plan to impose a £3, 000  visa bond on visitors from Nigeria and five other Commonwealth countries.

It expressed displeasure that Downing Street, which had already  set November as the discriminatory policy’s commencement time, had not deemed it neccessary  to formally communicate to it on the next step of action.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru,  had at a meeting with the British High Commissioner, Andrew Pocock, conveyed the desire of Nigeria to retaliate the policy.

The spokesperson for the ministry , Ogbole Ode, said  in a statement in Abuja, that  the British authorities were  already aware of the Federal Government’s position on the matter.

The statement reads, “Media reports in Nigeria on Monday,  July 29, 2013, indicated that the United Kingdom  Government will begin to implement from November, 2013, the £3,000  cash bond  for first-time visa applicants from Nigeria, and five other Commonwealth countries. The other countries are India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. These media reports themselves were quoting the Financial Times of London.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to receive any official communication on the final decision of the UK government on this matter. The Federal Government has already conveyed its objection to the bond payment to the UK government. This was done  when the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador  Ashiru, summoned the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Pocock, to the Tafawa Balewa House, on June 25,  2013.

“If and when a communication to that effect is received, the Federal Government  will take appropriate steps to reflect its national interest. ”

When contacted, the spokesman for the British High Commission in Abuja, Rob Fitzpatrick, said,  “No final decision has been made” on the  controversial policy.

He said, “As British Prime Minister David Cameron has said,  we want the brightest and the best to help create the jobs and growth that will enable Britain to compete in the global race. So, for example, if you are an overseas businessman seeking to invest and trade with world class businesses, one of the thousands of legitimate students keen to study at our first-class universities or a tourist visiting our world class attractions, be in no doubt: Britain is open for business.”

It will be recalled that Ashiru, at the meeting with Pocock, warned that the government would retaliate the discriminatory policy.

On Monday the British  government  defended a campaign  advising  illegal immigrants to “go home or face arrest.”

Two trucks, each displaying a large  poster with a number for migrants to send  text  messages if they desired  to return to their countries , were  seen in six London boroughs for a week.

It was learnt that posters, leaflets and advertisements in   newspapers  would  run for a   month to further promote the campaign, a pilot scheme by the interior ministry.

A member of the Liberal Democrat Party,  the    junior partner in the coalition government with  the Conservative Party and  Business Secretary, Vince Cable,  called the campaign “stupid and offensive.”

The opposition Labour Party’s home affairs spokeswoman, Yvette Cooper,  also said the scheme was “ludicrous.”

But  Prime Minister David  Cameron’s spokesman defended the  campaign,   saying it was  clear  that it was  “already working”  as some  illegal immigrants  had  voluntarily agreed to leave  the UK

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: INEC registers APC, issues registration certificate

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Read Time:42 Second
INEC confirmed the registration on Wednesday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has registered the All Progressives Congress, APC. This was stated by the Secretary to INEC, Abdullahi Kaugama, in a statement on Wednesday.
 
The statement said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the application by three political parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) – to merge into one, to be known as the All Progressives Congress.
“On considering the application, the Commission found that the applicant-parties have met all statutory requirements for the merger, and has accordingly granted their request.
“Consequently, the Commission has approved the withdrawal of the individual certificates of the applicant-parties, and the issuance of a single certificate to the All Progressives Congress.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Why Benin Airport Is Shut, Passengers Stranded

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Read Time:2 Minute, 28 Second
The administrative office of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, located inside the ever busy Benin City airport was this morning shut down by the Edo Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), over alleged unremitted N15 million Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductible tax from staff salary.
Hundreds of air passengers who were to travel by air to either Lagos or Abuja were locked out of the entrance and exit gates of the airport.
 
Also, passengers of the only Arik aeroplane which landed early in the morning were neither allowed to go out of the gates of the airport.
 
Chairman of Edo BIR, Chief Oseni Elamah told reporters that the action followed failure of FAAN to remit N15 million pay as you earn (PAYE) tax deductible from workers’ salary for the year 2011.
 
“In the past, we had to use judicial means to get the money from them. This time, we served them notice but they failed to respond to it.
 
We had to serve them court notice to that effect, which they still did not respond to. Hence, we had to come and seal up their administrative office.”
 
It was, however, gathered that the office was shut, the airport management allegedly locked the two gates leading to the airport, making it impossible for passengers to either go in or come out of the airport.
 
Following this development, Chief Elamah, who supervised the exercise, had the gates opened, saying that it was the administrative office of FAAN that was locked, and not gates of the airport.
 
“It was a deliberate attempt to blackmail us. It was their office we sealed, and not the gates,” Elamah said.
 
The Benin City airport manager, Mr. Sunday Ayodele could not be reached for comments as he was seen whisked away by operatives of the State Security Service.
 
Meanwhile, air travellers were stranded in other parts of Nigeria on Tuesday after the Benin airport was shut.
 
Between eight and ten flights operate at the Benin airport daily and only one Arik Air plane had successfully landed before the sudden closure.
 
“We landed this morning but we cannot take off again. The airport is shut,” said Banji Ola, spokesperson at Arik Air.
 
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, condemned the closure, saying that the Edo State Government does not have the right to shut the airport.
 
“Edo State Government shut down Benin Airport in pursuit of tenement rates. Article 25 of the act establishing FAAN exempts the authority from such payments,” said Yakubu Dati, spokesperson of FAAN.
 
“The Authority shall be exempted from the payment of taxes and tenement rates and any arrears whatsoever in connection thereto,” states the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria Act 2004 establishing Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
 
Arik Air and Aero Contractors all fly to Benin from Lagos.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Nigerians, Others Drown Attempting To Migrate To Italy

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Read Time:1 Minute, 19 Second
According to reports from an Italian media, Thirty-one migrants, including nine women, drowned off the coast of Libya during an attempted crossing to Italy as told by survivors who managed to complete the journey.
 
A dinghy carrying 53 migrants capsized on Friday evening, and witnesses said 31 of those who had been thrown off it drowned in the accident. Some of them are believed to be Nigerians.
 
The twenty-two survivors, who come from Nigeria, Gambia, Benin and Senegal, said the dinghy had capsized after three days at sea. They were rescued by a passing merchant ship and taken to Lampedusa Island, the reports said.
 
Italian Interior Minister Angelo Alfano called for human traffickers who shuttle migrants across the sea to Italy to be stopped on Sunday, after 31 boat people drowned during an attempted crossing.
 
“The traffic of human beings must end. We need to stop the merchants of death. The deaths off the Libyan coast and the terrible stories told by the survivors show the need for a real collaboration between countries to stop this string of tragic events,” Alfano said.
 
He called for “the network of collaboration to be strengthened with the countries where the migratory flows begin” and slammed “the wicked commerce of men who place their trust in the death merchants, who are but cynical profiteers of a state of emergency.”
 
The United Nations says thousands of people have drowned in recent years trying to reach Italian shores and 40 have died so far this year.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: FG approve 100 hectares of land for the permanent site of the proposed Anglican University

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Read Time:1 Minute, 45 Second
The Federal Government has approved 100 hectares of land for the permanent site of the proposed Anglican University, Abuja.
The Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, Duke Akamisoko, stated this in an interview with Newsmen during the 2nd Session of the Second Synod held at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Nyanya in Abuja.
Akamisoko also assured that any Anglican Church member who meet the five credit including English Language and Mathematics requirement would be offered admission into the University without writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) or Post UTME.
According to him, “already, five Anglican professors have indicated interest to teach in the University”, which has been scheduled to take-off soon.
He said, “The NUC said before now that they were giving approval to universities for less than 100 hectares. Till now, they (the universities) refused to go to their permanent site. But we have been gracefully given 100 hectares by the President. We are going to pay the President a thank you visit with a team.   A committee is to raise N5billion for university”.
Akamisoko disclosed that, children of the church members would get the leverage of paying only half of the fees in the University, adding that their wards would get discount, because their parents would have already toiled and paid to establish the university.
He expressed worry over the growing number of Anglican Church members who could not secured admission into existing universities despite their qualifications.
“Every Anglican in this country once you have five credits in WASC, you will gain admission . There is a special fee for Anglicans. Your children must benefit from it . Anglicans to pay half school fees. No Anglican will not gain admission except they are not qualified,” he said.
Consequently, The Bishop set up committee to shop for N5billion for the establishment of the University.
However, Akamisoko urged President Jonathan to prosecute individuals and groups making inflammatory and unguarded statements capable of dividing the country.
He pleaded with the Federal Government to suspend every other project and concentrate on providing adequate electricity to the citizenry.

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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