Bayero laid to rest amid tight security

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Read Time:1 Minute, 21 Second

KANO – The 13th Fulani emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero who died in his palace Friday morning at the age of 84 was laid to rest by the graveside of his forefathers at Gidan Sarki Nassarawa amid tear by hundreds of thousands of subjects that turned out to pay their last respect.

Walin Kano, Maje Bashir Wali had on Radio broadcast officially announced the demise of the octogenarian emir in his palace, urging the city dwellers and well-wishers to solace in God.

Business activities in the commercial city came to a standstill following the announcement as citizens trooped into the palace located at the city centre to pay their last respect.

Bayero last journey to his final resting abode commenced by 4pm shortly after the Firdau prayers performed by the chief Imam of Kano Central Mosque, Dr Zaharadeen that was attended by multitude at the emirs’s palace.

The journey of 5minutes drive took  the multitude two hours to arrived at  the Gidan Sarki  Nassarawa where  he was buried amid chanting of Allahu Akbar by thousands that turned sympathizers while  women in pudah were also not left out.

It was sea of head as the entire stretch of 3km road that linked the Palace and final resting abode as women as hundreds of thousands including women in pudah lined the streets to say final bye to revered emir.

Late Ado Abdullah Bayero was installed as the emir of Kano in 1963 and ruled for 51 years before his death and under him Kano witnessed a lot transformation in all spheres of human life.

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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Will today’s Eagles differ from the past teams?

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Read Time:1 Minute, 58 Second

Nigeria’s first appearance at the World Cup was in USA ’94. Nigerians still refer to the team as their best.

World football governing body classed them as the most entertaining side alongside winners, Brazil.

They arrived USA as Africa’s champions, having won the 1994 Nations Cup in Tunisia.

They had quality. They so possessed physical and entertaining attributes that fifa wrote Nigeria, commending their character and made inquiries on their nutrition and type of training. The team had a blistering pace.

Interestingly, it was Nigeria’s first time in the World Cup. The Eagles were superb in their first match, beating Bulgaria 3-0, losing to Argentina 1-2 and beating Greece 2-0 in the group matches to earn a second round berth. Italy were down by a lone goal scored by Emmanuel Amuneke before they equalised three minutes to full time and went on to beat Nigeria in extra time in a match Nigerians would not forget easily.

“We were three minutes away from victory, yet, victory was too far away,” cried Westerhof after the match. It was a popular quote of USA ’94.

A crisis situation in the Nigerian camp saw the team divided against itself before the match against Italy. Some of the players revolted against disciplinary measures by Westerhof and the team trained only once in four days before the match against Italy, little wonder they lost concentration in the dying minutes and conceded an equailser that meant end of the road for them. But for the crisis, the team could have probably won the match and gone further.

However, they showed such tremendous character and finesse that 20 years on Nigerians still rate them as their best team ever.

Nigeria’s World Cup squad 1994

1 GK Peter Rufai
2 DF Augustine Eguavoen
3 DF Benedict Iroha
4 DF Stephen Keshi
5 DF Uche Okechukwu
6 DF Chidi Nwanu
7 FW Finidi George
8 MD Oliha Thompson
9 FW Rashidi Yekini
10 MD Augustine Okocha
11 FW Emmanuel Amunike
12 MD Samson Siasia
13 DF Emeka Ezeugo
14 FW Daniel Amokachi
15 MD Sunday Oliseh
16 GK Alloysius Agu
17 FW Victor Ikpeba
18 FW Efan Ekoku
19 DF Michael Emenalo
20 FW Uche Okafor
21 MD Mutiu Adepoju
22 GK Wilfred Agbonavbare

Coach: Clemens Westerhof

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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World Cup: France ’98 Squad marked the beginning of the plunge Nigeria’s football took after the era of Clemens Westerhof.

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Read Time:1 Minute, 55 Second

The gold medal winning feat at the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games was good for Nigeria but what followed marked the beginning of the plunge Nigeria’s football took after the era of Clemens Westerhof.

The boys who won in Atlanta became so popular that they felt the Atlanta team (Under 23 players with three senior players) should hold sway in the Eagles. They had their way.

Phillip Troyussier had done a great job, qualifying Nigeria to the World Cup. But as it has always been with Nigerians, they mistake their passion for the game for knowledge of the game.

The sports ministry felt that Troussier was no world class coach and the Football Association, unfortunately, reasoned with them.

Troussier was disengaged and Bora Militinovic hired few months to the World Cup finals in France. His record of three World Cup appearances impressed those who hired him.

But little did they take into consideration the fact that Milutinovic did not qualify those teams to the World Cup finals. Mexico in 1986 and USA in 1994 were hosts and did not have to play qualifying matches and Costa Rica in Italia 1990 fired the coach that qualified them to the World Cup and engaged him.

And by the time he led Nigeria to France ’98 World Cup, he was appearing in his fourth World Cup without the rigours of qualifying games which would have put his competence to test.

Bora was a jolly good fellow but he was certainly overrated in terms of managerial and technical abilities.

He fell to the politics some players played and stuck to the Olympic team when some other players could have made a lot of difference. Again, moving Mutiu Adepoju to the right back position when the guy was the engine of the Nigerian midfield killed the team against Denmark who mauled Nigeria 4-1 to send us out of the tournament in the second round.

The team could not match the resilience and flair of USA ’94 squad although the 3-2 victory against Spain was a classic spectacle and it remains memorable.

France ’98 Squad.

 

Rufai

Oparaku

Babayaro

Kanu

Okechukwu

George, Finidi

Adepoju

Yekini

Okocha

Lawal

Okpara

Babangida

Amokachi

Oliseh

Okafor

Eguavoen

Oruma

Iroha

Ikpeba

Okpara

Baruwa

Coach Clemens Westerhof

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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The downward trend in Nigeria’s football continued at the Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup

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Read Time:1 Minute, 52 Second

The downward trend in Nigeria’s football continued at the Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup.

Amodu Shuaibu and Stephen Keshi had qualified Nigeria for the World Cup, a feat that was slipping until the FA sacked Bonfrere Jo who had lost to the likes of Liberia and Sierra Lone before he was sacked. Amodu and Keshi were brought in for a rescue mission.

They qualified Nigeria for the World Cup. But afte the 2002 Nations Cup in Mali where they lost to Senegal in the semifinal they were sacked.

Again, the sports ministry was at the centre of the crisis that started in Mali when they had issues with players’ flight tickets refunds and bonuses.

The result was the disengagement of Amodu and Keshi few months to the World Cup. Chief Adegboye Onigbinde was engaged.

If t was bad that Amodu and Keshi had to go, it was worse that some players like Sunday Oliseh and Finidi George were sacrificed in the politics that engulfed the team.

About three months to the World Cup Onigbinde, in his first outing, a friendly against Paraguay in London, was introducing himself to the players and asking each player to introduce himself.

In his first training, he had asked defenders, midfielders and attackers to stay in groups, a way to identify them. He probably was doing the right thing but it was just three months to the World Cup; certainly, the wrong time for a coach to be mastering the players he was taking to the World Cup.

Nigeria was the loser. The team failed badly, losing two matches and drawing one against England who didn’t need to win to move on the to the next stage.

The Eagles in Japan/Korea World Cup were not as good as the ones who played in France ’98.

They had been reduced in strength and quality by the absence of the likes of Oliseh and Finidi George who were still in top shape at the time. The dirty politics that schemed them out of the team only punished Nigeria.

Shorunmu
Yobo
Babayaro
Kanu
Okoronkwo
West
Ikedia
Adepoju
Ogbeche
Okocha
Lawal
Ejide
Afolabi
Udeze
Justice
Sodje
Aghahowa
Akwuegbu
Ejiofor
Obiorah
Utaka
Enyeama
Opabunmi
Coach : Adegboye Onigbinde

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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South Africa, 2010

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Read Time:1 Minute, 50 Second

The coaching problem that had now become a common feature in Nigeria’s World Cup teams continued when the Presidential Task Force set up by late President Umar Yar ‘Adua insisted on a foreign coach after Shuaibu Amodu led Nigeria through the qualifying matches. The Football Federation wanted Amodu to continue and planned to bring in Keshi to assist him. But the Task Force would have non of that.

Lars Laggerback was hired six months to the World Cup and the result was worse than that of Korea/Japan World Cup Eagles. Nigeria crashed out shamefully in the first round. Onigbinde’s Eagles were better than the team Laggerback handled in South Africa.

It follows that government has done more damage to Nigeria’s World Cup teams than any other factor or body. From our first outing in USA ’94 to the last one in South Africa, the succeeding World Cup team was worse than their predecessors. Coaching remained a major problem and the government had always been the architect or creator of such problems. Chief Alex Akinyele had planned to sack Westerhof and even said it on television that “Westerhof will not take us to USA.” And this was after the Dutch qualified Nigeria. But Akinyele did not last after that. Akinwumi was appointed to take over from him and Westerhof went to the World Cup.

The Brazil 2014 World Cup is the first time after USA’94 World Cup that Nigeria would be appearing in the World Cup with a coach that led them in the qualifying matches. Nigerians wish that their outing will surpass the second round outing in USA and France ’98 and stop the World Cup plunge that has shaped our performance in the way of an inverted pyramid.

The Eagles begin with Iran June 16 in Curitiba in Brazil. It will be 8 pm in Nigeria and the stadium Arena Da Balvada. It is a match anything short of victory will disappoint Nigerians and indicate an early return. A win will give hope and the spirit to fly into the second round and possibly continue flying Like The Eagles They Should Be.

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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Ejide delivers World Cup baby

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…Eagles Await Second Opinion On Echejile

The Super Eagles camp in Jacksonville, United States was thrown into jubilation, Friday afternoon, when goalkeeper Austin Ejide, gleefully announced that his wife, Chito, has given birth to a bouncing baby girl in nearby Chicago City also in the United States.

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, promptly named the child, the World Cup baby of Nigeria, as she was coming barely ten days to Nigeria’s opening World Cup game against Iran on June 16. Asked what name he will like to call the baby girl, Ejide beaming with smiles said her name will be called Chimamanda. The team workout on Friday evening was tight as usual with Elderson Echejile still absent due to the muscle tear he had in the international friendly against Greece.

Keshi speaking on the scan on Echejile, said it was not conclusive as he was waiting for a better medical opinion to enable him take a decision. “We don’t have to rush things, we are talking of the World Cup here, not just any other competition so we have to be careful what we say here regarding our top players”, Keshi said after Friday evening training.

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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How Justin Bieber Went from Regular Canadian Teen to Super Star Overnight… And How He Might Lose It All

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Read Time:6 Minute, 38 Second

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely."  This is especially true if you are a nineteen year old pop star with more money than most small countries and zero common sense.  Such is the case with Canadian recording artist, Justin Bieber.  After posting videos of his R&B covers to YouTube while still a pre-teen, the singer experienced a meteoric rise to superstardom that was dizzying to behold.  He went from struggling to get by with his mother, to owning multiple cars, commanding huge sums of money, and fending off thousands of screaming fans… in less than five years.  That's heady stuff for any teen.  He has managed to ride the wave of hysterical popularity quite successfully for years, and currently has a net worth of $160 million.  Here's how a Canadian teen took over the airwaves and your teenage daughter's brain.  More importantly, here's why he is probably going to lose it all, just as quickly.

Justin Bieber Net Worth

Justin Bieber was born in London, Ontario, Canada on March 1, 1994.  He grew up in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, with his mother, who had him when she was seventeen.  He attended a French-language immersion elementary school, and was initially interested in sports, playing hockey and soccer.  He began playing piano, drums, guitar, and trumpet, teaching himself to play the instruments.  After winning a local talent competition when he was twelve, his mother uploaded a video of his performance to YouTube.  It was meant to be for friends and family, but it attracted the attention of other viewers, as well.  She began uploading more videos, and his online fanbase began to increase.

In 2008, Scooter Braun, a marketing executive and music manager, stumbled across Justin Bieber's videos and tracked him down.  He convinced Justin Bieber's mother to allow Justin to travel to Atlanta, Georgia to record a series of demos.  While in Atlanta, Justin was introduced to R&B superstar, Usher.  It quickly became apparent that the teen had the potential to be a major star.  A bidding war began between Usher and Justin Timberlake, with both artists wanting to sign him to their then-new labels.  Usher eventually won, and Justin signed with Raymond Braun Media Group, a joint management company founded by Scooter Braun and Usher.  From there, he signed with Island Records, a subsidiary of The Island Def Jam Music Group.  Justin and his mother relocated to Atlanta where both Braun and Usher were based, and he began recording in earnest.

Usher and Justin Bieber

He released his first studio single in 2009.  "One Time" reached #12 on the Canadian Hot 100 charts, and climbed to #17 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts.  It went on to achieve Platinum and Gold status in multiple countries.  The single spurred the success of his first EP, "My World", when it was released in November of 2009.  "My World" was subsequently certified Platinum and Double Platinum in multiple countries, and Justin Bieber began performing tracks live on such shows as "The Today Show", "Good Morning America", "Chelsea Lately", and BET's "106 & Park".  He made other high-profile appearances, as well, performing for President Obama and the First Lady and presenting at the 52nd Grammy Awards.

His first studio album, "My World 2.0″, was an instant hit out of the gate.  He toured throughout 2010, promoting the album, and building his already impressive fanbase.  While recording his second album, "Under the Mistletoe", he toured around the world, and released the biopic "Justin Bieber:  Never Say Never".  The documentary film was a massive success, and went on to earn just under $100 million.  His second album was released later that same year, and debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts.  He quickly followed that up with the first single from his third album.  "Boyfriend" was released in March of 2012 and debuted at #2 on the US Billboard charts and #1 on the Canadian charts.  The album, "Believe", was released in mid-2012, and featured a more adult sounding Justin.  His voice had deepened noticeably, and the tracks featured a more R&B-influenced sound.  The album debuted at #1, but the "Believe Tour" accompanying the album was not as successful as previous tours.  Another documentary film was produced, and in preparation for its release, Justin released a track a week for ten weeks.  The film, "Just Bieber's Believe", was released on Christmas Day 2013 to moderate success.

Now in his late teens, the squeaky clean Justin who signed with Usher six years ago, has disappeared in a big way.  While many young stars grow into their fame, Justin's happened almost overnight.  He was initially assigned a handler and coach, whose job it was to help him craft and maintain a public image.  The handler, Ryan Good, created the look and attitude that is now associated with the performer.  Unfortunately, the one thing his handler didn't seem to teach him, was how to handle his fame responsibly.

Justin Bieber then vs now

Over the course of the last few years, he has had multiple run-ins with the law, usually involving his penchant for driving too fast, no matter where he is, be it the US or the UAE.  His neighbors have filled multiple complaints due to disturbances from parties at his home.  He plays all of his music insanely loud, even in the car.  The only person who plays music louder, is his own mother.  He has made crashing expensive cars into a hobby, and rumor has it that he has taken to drinking too much on a fairly regular basis.  As he has grown up, so has his fan base, and his popularity has begun to noticeably decline.  Though the music he is producing has become more adult, his newer "adult" behavior seems to be distancing him from the very same people who made him a star.  As a sixteen or seventeen year old, the average teen acting out is reprimanded and discouraged from continuing dangerous behavior.  As a sixteen or seventeen year old pop star, surrounded by more experienced adults, his willingness to throw parties and to buy expensive cars and gifts for his "friends", has been encouraged.  Now at 19, he is on the verge of seriously imploding.  His January 2014 arrest for Driving Under the Influence and drag racing is a prime example of just how much has changed since he left Canada and moved to Atlanta as a thirteen year old.  Not all of that change is particularly good.

Justin Bieber has enjoyed a true rags-to-riches story.  However, just as quickly as fame can arrive, it can be snatched away.  Though the picture of him smiling for his mug shot has been shown around the world, word on the street is that he cried like a baby in the holding cell.  Maybe this experience will set the boy who inspired "Bieber Fever" on the right track.  Or maybe he believes his own hype too much, and has yet to realize that the entire planet is beginning to cool towards him. What do you think will happen with Justin Bieber? Where do you think he will be in five years? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below…

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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A big lesson for those that think they will get Biafra as an individual instead of working with IPOB

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Read Time:8 Minute, 15 Second

A big lesson for those that think they will get Biafra as an individual instead of working with IPOB ::|:: Two killed as Biafra Zionist Federation attempts to seize Enugu Radio station.
*Mission of Onwuka and his group was to topple govt –  CP Members of the Pro-Biafra group, Biafra Zionist Federation, BZF led by Barrister Benjamin Onwuka,  again invaded the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS in an attempt to seize the radio and television station for a broadcast.
The group had attacked the Government House, Enugu on March 8, 2014 claiming that it had re-established the Republic of Biafra by hoisting its flag at the Government House. The police declared Onwuka wanted placing a bounty of N5 million on him.
Thursday’s move by the group to make a television and radio broadcast was however foiled by a team of policemen who were alerted by some staff of the station who arrived for the morning duty and met their premises under siege.
But a police sergeant and a member of BZF were killed in a shootout while a police inspector who led the team was seriously wounded.

Barrister Benjamin Onwuka, leader Biafra Zionist Federation

The BZF leader, Benjamin Onwuka and 12 members of his group were arrested as they tried to escape from the station after the clash with the policemen and are now undergoing interrogation at the Criminal Investigations Department of the State Police Command.
Eyewitness accounts said the BZM members in an operation similar to the March 8 invasion of the Enugu Government House, stormed the premises of the station through the fence at about 5.30 am and held the security men and staff on night shift hostage.
They forcefully gained entry into the offices including the studio and made attempts to put on the equipment for a live broadcast by the BZM leader but unknown to them the television had been off air since the past two days while they were unable to have access to the radio station which was broadcasting at the time.
“While they were struggling with the station’s staff, four policemen who got wind of the invasion by the hoodlums arrived the premises in two patrol cars and moved into the station to confront them. Soon after they got into the building we started hearing gunshots and people were running helter-skelter.
“There was heavy shooting but I don’t know if the BZM members were armed. At the end we saw the corpse of a police sergeant and a member of the group on the floor. The Police Inspector who sustained injuries on his head was immediately taken away by his colleagues,” an eyewitness said.

Onwuka and two members of his group

However, having failed to accomplish their mission, Onwuka and his colleagues escaped through the Universal Hotel road on foot but some mobile policemen drafted to the scene from the Government House, which is about a kilometer away, pursued them into the bush behind some government offices near the State House of Assembly Complex and apprehended them.
Onwuka and 12 members were reportedly arrested and taken to the state police headquarters.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the arrest of Onwuka and his members but he did not give the number of those in custody.
He said that “one police sergeant was killed, one other police officer injured while one died on the side of the hoodlums”, promising to give further details when ongoing enquiry into their activities were concluded.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, said members of the pro-Biafra group that invaded the ESBS Thursday morning were on a mission to take over the government.
He stated this while parading the 13 BZM members including their leader, Barrister Benjamin Igwe Onwuka at the State Police headquarters.
He gave the names of other members of the group being detained with Onwuka as Paulinus Uzoegbu, Michael Oleinya, Ndubuisi Nnamchi, Bethrand Obiekwe, Kelvin Ekeh, Abraham Ugwu, Chukwuma Alogius, Ijaga Sampson, Josephat Nwodo, Nwonu Fidelis and Uduma Uduma.
The commissioner who gave details of what the group did at the station said: “When they went to the ESBS, they got entrance into the studio and wanted them to give them access to make a live broadcast to the people of Nigeria. In the broadcast theyhave a CD rom where the details of what they wanted to tell members of the public was and in the CD rom, they made a summary of it in a sheet of paper and the highlight of it  are; an appeal calling for all boys in Obiagu to come out, all boys from Ogui to come out, all  boys in Enugu to come out, _ they also asked  students to come out, those people with KekeNapep to come out. They wanted to order all businesses closed today, all schools to be closed, all markets to be closed and all government officials to surrender all property in their possession
before midday. You can see these people where in a mission of trying to overturn the government and it is something that we will never tolerate”.
He continued, “Recall that in march this year, they had attacked government house, Enugu.  We had earlier declared their leader wanted.  The same group of  Biafran Zionist Federation led by their leader, Benjamin Igwe Onwuka invaded the Enugu State Broadcasting Service with the intention  that after the broadcast, they will set the place ablaze.
“They carried  with them a lot of arms, machetes, 25 liters of petrol, 46 empty beer bottles and one Biafran Zionist flag and some CDs. The purpose of going there with petrol and bottles, you know when you put petrol inside a bottle and shake it and throw it into a building, it will inflame. They went there also with guns because when the policemen confronted them, they shot a sergeant and killed him and in the process of trying to prevent them from setting the place ablaze, they also had a casualty, one of them was shot dead.  About thirteen of them were arrested including the leader, Benjamin Onwuka”.
The Commissioner warned any group of persons and individuals planning  to foment trouble in whatever form that will cause breach of peace to desist, saying it will not be tolerated.
Efforts made to speak with the suspects were rebuffed as the commissioner insisted that doing so “will mean giving them opportunity to say what they wanted to announce in the live broadcast”.
The BZM had laid siege to the Enugu State Government House in the early hours of March 8, 2014 and hoisted the flags and banners of the defunct republic of the Republic of Biafra.
Three days later, Onwuka and two of his officials appeared at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Press Centre, Enugu and addressed a news conference claiming responsibility for the invasion of the Government House. He said that they successfully occupied the Enugu State seat of power for over four hours and accomplished their mission.
He said then:   “I want to let you know what happened on March 8 at the Government House Enugu. This is to confirm the true report about what happened. You know very well that since January 12, 1970, the flag of Biafra has never rested on the Government House in Enugu which is the centre power of the Biafra people.
“What we did on the 8th is to reconfirm the independence of the Republic of Biafra which we successfully did.
“We didn’t attack the Government House, but we captured it back for the Biafra people. We captured it for four hours and there was a battle between the Biafrans and the Nigerians and by 7a.m., we retreated because we didn’t have any weapons in our hand, to avoid any loss of life.
“The reason we did it was to show the Biafra people that the hope for Biafra is still alive and that nothing shall quench the aspiration of the Biafra people to be independent. That independence has been resurrected. So the Biafran flag was raised at the Government House on the 8th of March, 2014 and I, Benjamin Igwe Onwuka led the operation.
“It wasn’t an armed attack on the Government House, it wasn’t kidnappers as the police have said. It was Biafran people and the Biafra Zionist Federation led it and I, Benjamin Onwuka was the man that pioneered it. It wasn’t an attack on any- one, but for the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Biafra.
“As I said, the raising of the flag at the Government House is a symbol of the resurrection of the Republic of Biafra which we did on the 8th of March 2014. “
Continuing, Onwuka said: “I want the Biafra people to know and the entire world that the Biafra has been resurrected and no force of arm could hinder this aspiration for Biafra.
“Let me make it clear. the states that will make up  Biafra now are Benue, Kogi, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Anambra, Enugu, Imo and Abia and Southern Ondo.
“I thank God for this press conference to set the record straight that the Biafra is independent now, because that flag that has been raised at the Government House, Enugu.”
However, the State Police Command declared Onwuka wanted for the invasion of the Government House but he could not be seen in the state until he reappeared at the state radio house yesterday.

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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The Emir Of Kano Is Dead

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Read Time:19 Second
One of Nigeria’s most prominent traditional rulers, Ado Abdullahi Bayero, the Emir of Kano has died. The Emir died early today in Kano according to family sources.

The late Emir was aged 83. He be became the Emir of Kano in 1963 at the age of 33.

 The late emir will be buried today in Kano according to Islamic rites.

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: Emefiele Vows to Slash Interest Rates Without Devaluation

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Following weeks of speculation on what to expect from the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Thursday finally unveiled his monetary policy agenda, vowing to gradually slash interest rates.
 
His decision to lower interest rates signals a departure from the hawkish monetary stance of his predecessor, Sanusi Lamido Samido, who kept the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) unchanged at 12 per cent for two years and cut inflation to single digits.
 
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on his five-year vision for the central bank, Emefiele said his policies would be people-centric and foreclosed on the devaluation of the naira, pledging to maintain exchange rate stability.
 
 
He said he was committed to running a central bank that is not only professional and apolitical but also people-focused and “which would spend its energy on building a resilient financial system that can serve the growth and development needs of our beloved country, Nigeria”.
 
On the lowering of interest rates, Emefiele said the policy would be aimed at seeking a reduction in overall lending rates to make it cheaper to invest, although he didn't give a time frame for doing so, leaving it open for him to hold off until the monetary conditions allow it.
 
Interest rates have been stuck at 12 per cent since late 2011, and several measures have been made to tighten liquidity, which has been credited with gradually bringing inflation down, but businesses had complained that lending rates were too punitive.
 
 
Also, in what could be considered a popular move, Emefiele tinkered with the cashless policy introduced by Sanusi by ordering the immediate suspension of all charges associated with limits imposed on cash deposits in commercial banks and called for a review of the ongoing practice where all fees associated with limits on withdrawals accrued to banks alone.
 
He said henceforth, the CBN would determine what percentage of fees charged on excess withdrawals would be redeemed by commercial banks while the rest would be remitted to the central bank.
 
Emefiele said this would help the CBN better to reflect its goal of having more cash under its control and discourage situations where customers devised various means to avoid the charges by opening multiple accounts among other disingenuous means aimed at undermining the objective of the cashless policy.
 
The newly appointed CBN boss, however, admitted that reducing the interest rate and maintaining the exchange rate were two difficult targets, adding that the central bank would work tirelessly with all stakeholders to devise countervailing measures that would ensure the actualisation of its objectives.
 
"There is no doubt that reducing interest rates and maintaining exchange rates are very daunting twin goals," he said, adding: "However the central bank will work assiduously to ensure that these goals are mutually achieved.”
 
Emefiele also promised to tackle the issue of unemployment by factoring it in monetary policy decisions going forward.
 
He said the CBN needed to do more to cater for existing and new job seekers as achieving price and exchange rate stability alone could be meaningless without an improvement in the lives of the people.
 
He added that the CBN would pursue policies targeted at making Nigeria’s treasury bill rates more comparable with other emerging markets and pursue a reduction in both deposit and lending rates in order to enhance access to finance and reduce the cost of funds.
 
According to him, while a reduction in deposit rates would encourage investment attitudes in savers, a reduction in lending rates would make credit cheaper for potential investors.
 
He said the CBN would in the meantime continue to maintain a monetary policy stance to reflect the liquidity conditions in the economy as well as the potential fiscal expansion in the run-up to the 2015 general election.
 
He said Nigeria currently had one of the highest treasury bill rates in comparison to emerging countries including South Africa, Brazil, India, China, Turkey, and Malaysia, a condition which according to him, “creates a perverse incentive for commercial banks to simply buy virtually risk-free government bonds rather than lend to the real sector”.
 
The new central bank chief, however, foreclosed the possibility of devaluing the nation’s currency in the near future since the country is still largely import dependent with considerable infrastructure challenges.
 
“It is not possible to consider depreciation at this time until we look into problems that shoot up import bills. At this time, it is not an option,” he said.
Referring to the country’s foreign reserves, he noted that the country still had “enough ammunition” to contain the exchange rate.
 
He said: “In view of the high import-dependent nature of the economy and significant exchange rate pass-through, a systematic depreciation of the naira would literarily translate to considerable inflationary pressure with attendant effects on macroeconomic stability.
 
“Therefore, under my leadership, the Bank will continue to focus on maintaining exchange rate stability and preserve the value of the domestic currency. We will sustain the managed float regime in the management of the exchange rate, as this will allow the Bank to intervene when necessary to offset pressures on the exchange rate.”
 
However, he said the CBN would strive to maintain exchange rate stability and aggressively shore up foreign exchange reserves by maintaining a healthy external reserve position and ensure external balance.
 
He said the central bank would identify and work with specific sectors which have the potential to create jobs on a mass scale in order to reduce poverty in the economy.
Specifically, Emefiele said measures that would see a reduction in interest rates would soon be announced, including lots of policies that would create jobs for the youths and help them access finance and get them out of poverty.
 
While also announcing a zero-tolerance policy on fraudulent borrowers in the financial system, he said the CBN would collaborate with commercial banks to significantly improve the credit culture in the Nigerian banking system.
 
He explained that CBN’s focus would be directed at serial debtors who access loans from different banks and default on all of them even when they have the means to pay.
 
To this effect, he said the sanction system would be strengthened to among other things blacklist companies and individuals that had been found to be serial loan defaulters as well as implement stringent loan provisions and penalties for banks that lend to blacklisted persons and companies.
 
“Indeed, these names would be circulated in the banking system to guide banks in identifying bad borrowers and denying them access to credit in the banking system,” he said.
 
He warned that though the CBN would be fair and just in policy decisions, it would be firm on implementation, as “policies must be adhered to”.
He said the CBN planned to boost funding to small and medium enterprises through a business approach, which would demand greater private sector participation.
 
To this effect, he unfolded plans to have a scheme where individuals could access up to N50,000 loans from the banking system without collateral.
 
On his plans for the agricultural sector, he said the CBN would revisit the goals and implementation of its intervention programmes in the sector with a view to ensuring that high value addition is obtained from funds provided.
He said interventions in agriculture would now be directed at improving productivity in areas with high domestic demand and where opportunities exist, to improve domestic supply such as in rice, fish, wheat and sugar to conserve foreign exchange, given that the four commodities accounted for N1.3 trillion in food import bill in 2013.
 
Emefiele said the risk-based supervision (RBS) mechanism of Nigerian banks would be strengthened to ensure the overall health and financial system stability, adding that banks would be asked to proffer remedial actions where weaknesses are observed in RBS examination reports so as to avoid further a build up of non-performing loans (NPLs).
 
He warned that where banks provided inadequate remedies, the CBN would advance its own solutions and insist on compliance.
He also said the CBN supervisory purview over the banking system would be strengthened.
 
On the power sector, he said the central bank would among other things facilitate investment in key parts of the value chain by providing funds at concessionary rates to targeted investments in the sector as well as encourage investment in the gas-to-power infrastructure to improve the reliability of supply of gas to the existing and new power plants.
 
He also said there would be support for investment in renewable energy in rural areas through matching funding schemes and provision of first loss guarantees.
 
In addition, for the oil and gas sector, Emefiele said the CBN would through a number of initiatives support efforts at domesticating oil and gas resources to ensure that much of the resources are produced and used in the country, a plan which according to him would stimulate inclusive growth, create jobs and reduce the pressure on the exchange rate occasioned by the demand for imports of finished petroleum products.
He also unveiled his plans for the health sector, which according to him, is currently bedevilled by a myriad of issues that had led to a huge bill of foreign exchange utilisation for medical travels overseas.
 
He said the CBN planned to play a facilitating role by unlocking the potential that exists for the private sector to invest at various points along the health care value chain including hospital services, health insurance, pharmaceuticals, supply chain and financing.
 
He said the bank would maintain a keen interest in supporting the development of institutions, create an enabling environment to trigger private sector investment and curb the growing trend of medical tourism.
He also said the central bank would work to support the Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) to help unlock the huge potential in the housing sector as well as assist the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) to improve on its infrastructure in order to undertake most of its currency printing locally.
 
When asked what he would like to be remembered for after his tenure, he said he would allow Nigerians to judge his performance and decide on the legacy he would have left behind.
 
He said: “We must by now grown tired of hearing people talk about the ‘potential’ of Nigeria. Now is the time to live that dream. I truly believe that by working together, we can achieve our goals and give Nigerians the chance to live longer, better and more fulfilled lives.”
 
In reaction to Emefiele’s policy stance, Reuters reported that treasury bill yields fell 20 basis points across the board yesterday to an average of 11.3 per cent, as buyers snapped up short dated debt in anticipation of lower yields down the line.
 
Nigeria's benchmark 10-year bond yield was trading flat yesterday at 12.52 per cent, after initially falling seven basis points on Emefiele's remarks on interest rates. The three-year bond yield was also down 16 basis points to 11.71 per cent.
 
Similarly, the naira hit a one-month low on Emefiele's remarks, easing 0.69 per cent to N163.85 to the dollar and remaining outside the bank's preferred 150-160 band that it had spent billions of dollars of forex reserves this year trying but failing to keep.
 
“Although Emefiele's comments were qualified with the statement that it is a ‘daunting’ task… the very fact that lower interest rates were mentioned, have sent a strong signal to the markets," said Standard Chartered's Razia Khan.
 

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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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