Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in south-eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to 15 January 1970, taking its name from the Bight of Biafra (the Atlantic bay to its south)
Even if the rest of Nigeria gangs up and stops him (which will be a plus and a further justification for Igbo nationalism and the wider Biafran project), the reality is that Mr Peter Obi’s (CON)’s practical economic management/management economics model both at micro and macro levels is a unique one that is driven home to all.
Furthermore, it not only transcends culture, religion or political view/inclination/affiliation but also a template(if implemented) that the developing world/developing economies need; and in fact, for humanity to learn and consolidate on.
Conversely, this practical economic management activism approach of his for the revival of dashed hopes is one for which an institution is ripe and befitting. His is an economic movement for generations and must not be allowed to die.
The enthusiasm, the zeal, the resilience, and the seemingly insatiable desire of the youths across the board for societal change and better living standards must are unprecedented and should be sustained.
Finally, Mr. Obi(CON), you must more importantly begin to look inwards—–going closer home to help develop our land if they succeed in their gang-up because the conspiracy is swelling. The same goes to other politicians of Biafra extraction serving Nigeria.
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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.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have denounced the purported arrest and wrongful incarceration of Igbo people in Kenji, Niger State’s Wawa military base, which they claim was carried out on the Federal Government of Nigeria’s orders.
The separatist group appealed to the world community for support in gaining the release of these Igbo persons who had been wrongfully detained and incarcerated.
These were disclosed by IPOB on Thursday in a statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful.
The statement partly reads, “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU wish to condemn the continued and unlawful detention of Igbo youths, fathers and mothers in Imo State, Anambra State, Enugu State, Abia state and Ebonyi State detention facilities in the North more especially in Wawa military barracks at Kenji (Kainji) Niger State.
“We appeal to the International community to prevail on Nigeria Government and its security agents to discharge all the Igbo people unlawfully arrested without trial from the above mentioned States, because this act is a pure “human rights violation of a particular race” “racial profiling, violation of freedom of worship, discrimination and persecution”.
“IPOB now watches with keen interest going forward on discriminatory treatment and crimes against Biafrans and Igbos in particular. We are everywhere and our eyes and ears are everywhere as well. Igbos are the most law abiding race within our space, we are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters that has high regard for lives, therefore, we warn the Nigerian Armed forces and Police to desist from killing Igbos untimely otherwise it will bounce back to them harshly.
“The Biafra restoration project has crossed the Rubicon and can no longer be stopped and it would be achieved in no distant time.
“Nigeria military should dignify themselves by releasing the Igbos under incarceration in various confinement facilities including those in Wawa military detention center in Niger State and other Northern states Nigeria.”
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.
Security agencies in Anambra State have reportedly busted nine camps belonging to ‘unknown gunmen’ in the Anambra South Senatorial District.
Nine shrines used by the hoodlums for oath-taking were also raided by the joint task force on security in the state.
A police source said natives who acted as informants to the hoodlums were also in detention and making useful statements.
Some areas raided by the task force included Aguluezechukwu in Aguata Local Government Area; Ebenato community in Nnewi South LGA; Ezinifite community also in Nnewi South LGA; and Ichi, in Ekwusigo LGA.
Other areas include part of Osumoghu, Lilu and some parts of Ukpor in Nnewi South and Ihiala LGAs.
The source said most native doctors had fled from their homes because some of their colleagues who were arrested had been providing names of those involved in killings and kidnappings in the state.
The Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said it was too early to begin to count the successes in the war against terror in the state.
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.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has cancelled its tomorrow’s sit-at-home order. Disclosing this in a statement signed by Emma Powerful, the group gave reasons for the cancellation, fixing 28 June as sit-at-home.
Recall that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Wednesday, deferred the trial of the detained leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, to June 28.
Kanu’s lead counsel Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, disclosed this in a statement. He said that Kanu’s case would no longer proceed as earlier scheduled due to the unavailability of the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako.
His words: “Please be informed that we have just received communication from the Federal High Court’s Registrar, notifying us that the Court will no longer be sitting tomorrow, 26th May, 2022, on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
“According to the Registrar, this is because His lordship, Justice Binta Nyako is indisposed, and as such, the matter is now adjourned to the 28th day of June, 2022 for Ruling/Hearing.
“We most respectfully, urge you all to maintain restraint, as you have always done. Keep your eyes on the ball, which is the freedom of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Also, please note that Justice delayed is not justice denied. We are aggressively cruising to victory, it is only a matter of time.
“We profoundly appreciate your solidarity, unflinching support and prayers, which have been sustaining us thus far. Please do not relent in your prayers, we do not take it for granted.
“We shall continue to keep you all informed as events unfold”, Ejiofor stated.
Reacting to his statement said the group has accepted the adjournment of the case, noting that: “there will be no sit-at-home in regard to tomorrow’s case instead sit-at-home will hold on 28th June, 2022.”
Read the full statement below:
“The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU wish to notify Biafrans both home and abroad that our Leader’s Court in Abuja 26th May has been postponed to 28th June.
“IPOB has been informed why and what caused the sudden change of date and we accepted it, we just received the communication from the Federal High Court’s Registrar, through our legal counsel Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor notifying us that the Court will no longer be sitting tomorrow, 26th May, 2022, on our Leader’s case. Therefore, there will be no sit-at-home in regard to tomorrow’s case instead sit-at-home will hold on 28th June, 2022.
“According to the Registrar, this is because Justice Binta Nyako is indisposed, and as such, the matter is now adjourned to the 28th day of June, 2022 for Ruling/Hearing.
“We most respectfully, urge you all to maintain restraint, as you have always done. Keep your eyes on the ball, which is the freedom of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Also, please note that Justice delayed is not justice denied. We are aggressively cruising to victory of our Leader, it is only a matter of time. There is no sit-at-home again tomorrow Biafrans should bear with us.
“We profoundly appreciate your solidarity, unflinching support and prayers, which have been sustaining us thus far. Please do not relent in your prayers, we do not take it for granted.
“We shall continue to keep you all informed as events unfold.”
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.
THE Anambra State Police command said Monday that it had identified some criminals terrorizing the state, stressing that there was nothing unknown about the gunmen as people tag them.
Addressing reporters in Awka, the state Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng said the command would go all out to deal with them, even as he frowned at the reluctance by indigenes of various communities in the state to volunteer information about the activities of criminals in their areas to help tackle the problem.
The CP said: “There is nothing unknown about the gunmen terrorizing Anambra State, to warrant calling then ‘unknown gunmen’.
“We have been saying that unknown gunmen is not the right name for these criminals. We are trying to mystify something that is not just there.
“It is time we go into demystifying them. These people are not spirits, they live with us, they are our nephews, our cousins, our brothers, and they live in communities. We know who they are.
“The problem of security is that of total silence as nobody sees something, nobody hears something and nobody says something.
“Security is collective and everyone has a part to play. Crimes are localized, and they happen in our communities. We should be able to come up with information of what is happening in our communities, not glorifying them and tagging them as unknown gunmen, otherwise we will end up not making headways. We know them, we have actually arrested some of them, and they are human beings.
“I want us to also shift the narrative that these criminals are Fulani. We have arrested some and taken out some during gun duels.
“So, when the communities that should help to contribute to security decide to stay quiet, that is not a good sign.
“Last week a person I didn’t know told me that a team of gunmen were operating at Umunze in a Hummer Jeep, I sent a team after them, and we were told they have moved to Umuchu and we pursued them and were able to take out four of them.
“I don’t know the man who gave me the information, but we used the information to fight the criminals. That black Hummer Jeep you see there (pointing to it) was recovered from the criminals.
“You can see what information can do. That is how powerful information is, and we expect people to give information,” Echeng said.
“The state police command has decided to go all out on these criminals. Their dens have been identified, and soon, news of their exploit will be made known.
“We will not spare any of them. Forget the narrative they push that they live in the forest, they create that impression and then return to the communities where they live.
“What they have in the forest are just shrines, and we have visited and destroyed most of them. These criminals live among the people”,
Echeng debunked the insinuation that the murdered Anambra lawmaker, Hon Okechukwu Okoye was killed because of refusal to pay ransom, saying “I am not aware that any ransom was demanded, or that any ransom was paid”,
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.
The more worrisome thing here about the killing in the South East is that nobody is taking responsibility. And intelligence is not providing any Suspicion.
The minders of the IPOB group through their mouthpiece which existed even before Mazi Nnamdi Kanu
was detained by the name Emma powerful have repeatedly denied involvement. Even dissociating themselves from the ‘Sit at home’ – ‘Holy Monday’ order.
Radar shifted to one Finland Based Simon Ekpa, who refers to his new group as Autopilot ….. Mr Ekpa through his recent broadcast also denied the involvement of his group in the killings and has rather diverted attention to some failed or disgruntled politicians.
Since no one has been taking responsibility….the term Unknown gunmen became convenient. Our concern and worry are, how come no valid and reliable Intelligence has unambiguously identified who the Unknown Gunmen are, both intelligence from the state actors and non-state actors ‘security’ networks?
Only accusing fingers are being pointed here and there, and the Unknown Gunmen are on a rampage. Then IPOB / ESN (Emma powerful group) used to claim they got all deep information about everything and anybody in Nigeria and outside Nigeria and also claim their intentions is to secure Biafra land, what’s happening now? No Intelligence again.
Then we were shown video clips of escapades in the forests against invading Fulani herdsmen, how they were chased away with their cows and all that. What is happening now? Have all the forest invaders, been chased away from the forests now invaded the towns and roads? If so, why have they not been pursued and chased away from the towns as they were chased away from the forests?
We used to have Intelligence from them about Buhari’s plastic ears, Buhari’s death, and Buhari’s body double. How come we can’t have credible Intelligence about the perpetrators and masterminds of these killings in our own Land?
Did these slaughtered people also disobey the sit at home order? Is the IPOB power only for and against the hapless traders, common struggling folks and fellow kinsmen?
Who is this Enemy that has refused to be unmasked, defined and isolated? Even with the strong Intelligence of IPOB/ESN?
Will this situation not provide a true test of the strength, the power, ‘sincerity of purpose’ and ‘needfulness’ of the so-called security outfit and the organization?
What is really happening here?
Also, the Ekpa group claim to have the objectives of defending the Biafra Land….how can you be defending the Land and not defending the lives of the people of the Land?
Is the Biafra Land now more important than Biafra Lives?
What’s going on here ??
It is obvious that criminals have taken over, but what needs to be found out is – which groups do these criminals belong to?
Do they have any affiliation?
Which/ what affiliation is that?
This is no longer an Agitation, this is cheer criminality and wickedness. It is a killing spree!
Serial killers are on the loose.
The Biafra Land is desecrated. And huge atonement would be required. For me what is critical is for the Governor Soludo security team to go underground and first identify who the real murderers are, what is their motive, and who is beating them. The drum for them ??
Then the criminals can be targeted.
Uncommon, unconventional methods and approaches can be deployed.
Anambra had faced daunting security challenges before, Onitsha was on many occasions very notorious and many times a theatre of crime.
Anambra overcame all of that and was acclaimed the safest state in Nigeria at some point recently.
Boyz Oye ! Happened
Bakassi boyz ! Happened.
Some other movements happened.
Don’t know which will happen this time around.
But something must definitely happen soon….very soon. The blood of the innocent is complaining bitterly to God.
Anambra can’t give up her spirit and is being tested once again.
The dimming light will shine bright again, to dispel this gloomy darkness.
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.
The smouldering agitation for self determination by some groups and individuals in the South-east geo-political zone of Nigeria as expressed in the rebirth of Biafra has of recent assumed varying definitions and stakes. From a shrill level of stillness after a rejuvenated crescendo some 16 odd years ago, the recent arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, an arrowhead in the struggle and director of the pirate Radio Biafra on October 19, 2015, has given more impetus to the struggle.
The upsurge in the restiveness since May 29 this year when the new regime of President Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in was ignited by perceived lopsidedness in the initial key appointments he made, and declarations he made in far away United States of America that those who did not vote for him in the elections should not expect to profit where they did not sow. The statement took the heartlands of the South-east by storm and was interpreted as a veiled reference to them who through their votes thumbed a resounding no to his presidential quest over the years. In the new offensive, about 71 deaths have been recorded and scores detained by agents of the government.
Indeed, the National Director of Information of The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Mr. Uchenna Madu recently alleged extra judicial killings of some of their detained members in Ebonyi state. The high casualty figures of the agitators who adopted passive resistance over the years have implanted a consciousness of recklessness and deeper significance of their struggle and its meaning to them. They are telling the rest of the world in parables and acts that their lives are less important than the meaning of their lives. They are so seized with this symbolic fervor, and intoxicated with their xenophobic dream that they are willing to view themselves as a sacrifice to history. Canadian writer Betty Nickerson, in her work “Letters from Biafra aptly captures this propelling force this way: “Biafra is more than a government, or place; it is an idea about freedom. To fight for it, perhaps to live for it, if one is lucky, is our consuming passion”.
For 49 years, blood has been spilled over this. An estimated three million people perished in the fratricidal, civil war that lasted 30 months between May 30, 1967 and January 12, 1970. Since then, more than 2,338 people have lost their lives in various Biafran related uprisings. In 2014, in what clearly looked like a suicide mission, some activists of the Biafran Zionist Movement, BZM attempted to seize a government owned radio station in Enugu and the Government House Enugu, killing a policeman in the process. They were rounded up and put in detention since then. As the orgy of bloodletting and clampdown continues, there is nothing yet to suggest a cessation of hostilities. The frontiers of protest are expanding, the fault lines are deepening. From a campaign spearheaded mainly by semi-literate youths with mob hysteria often described as “misguided”, it is spreading like wild fire embracing the intelligentsia, the new rich, and de crème de la crème of the Igbo society. The political class, who in deference to their political interests within the Nigerian context has always donned indifference and kept the struggle and their moving spirits at arm’s length, is gradually beginning to capitulate. With blood in their eyes, and as the agents of government bay for their blood, the power of their resolve and clarity of intent resonate and rankle in their souls. Fresh campaign thrusts are unfolding by the day, while more groups are sprouting. From just MASSOB in 1999, it has expanded to include Indigenous People of Biafra led by Nnamdi Kanu, Biafran Actualization Forum, BAF, Biafran Zionist Movement, BZM, Biafra National Congress, BNC, and a splinter faction of MASSOB.
Interestingly, the Igbos in the Diaspora have shown more than a passing interest in the struggle. Sunday Sun learnt that they form the nucleus of the struggle, providing a huge chunk of the funds and other logistics. They are also actively involved in external propaganda and diplomatic engagements. The sophistication has also twined to other areas. On July 17, Kanu lauched another radio station in London, promising to bring on 50 others in two phases in the next 18 months. According to Sunday Sun checks, another station called ‘Biafra 24 radio’ has hit the air waves pushing the same message of ‘Freedom of Biafraland’. Plans are also afoot to float a satellite television station abroad. The location could not be ascertained as at press time.
On July 14 this year, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information, Dr Sade Yemi- Esan declared that Radio Biafra had been successfully jammed and the technical masterminds arrested. The station, however, is still broadcasting on the World Wide Web making it impossible to block its broadcasts. The arrest of Kanu on October 19, 2015 has accentuated the frenzy and acidity of the broadcasts. They have also stepped up diplomatic offensives on all fronts which have led to some western governments issuing statements to demand his release. An Embassy of Biafra has been opened in Victoria, Spain. “It is another milestone in our drive towards Biafra’s restoration” said a radio broadcast from London monitored in Lagos by Sunday Sun. The Embassy set up by IPOB was opened on Saturday, February 28. In a prayer at the event, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu said: “We, your children are gathered here in Victoria Basque country O Lord of Hosts, to do that which you have divinely mandated us to do. Today here in Northern Spain we open yet another chapter in this relentless effort to restore your kingdom upon the face of this earth. For the journey mercies you have granted us from all over the world here gathered, we remain eternally grateful. From all over the world we have come to establish a firm base in this land from where your will must be done. This year belongs to us Biafrans because in the end, all glory and honour will be yours and yours alone. Iseee!” An elated Kanu also expressed gratitude to God for the success of the event on his Facebook page:“To the most gracious almighty Chukwu Abhiama do we owe all that we are for this journey mercy granted to all hard core Biafrans that attended IPOB mission opening ceremony in Victoria Basque Country in Spain. Magnificent and merciful creator of the universe, even if we worship you from now till eternity, we still will not be able to repay you for the grace you have shown us, Indigenous People of Biafra for guiding us back to our respective destinations. For those we left behind, please guide them to their families in safety that in the end as always, all honour and glory will be yours and yours alone, because only you is worthy of praise. Your children have asked me to come to Amsterdam Netherlands from where your redeeming gospel of restoration will be preached tonight to the hearing of humanity. Abide with us Heavenly Father as you have always done for we are nothing without you. This family here shall find peace as they all desire that indeed your kingdom, Biafra may come on this earth as it is in heaven…..Iseee!”
What is Biafra?
There are several postulations as to the origins of the word ‘bight’ as in bight of Biafra. One account describes it as a cartographic indication for the word “exit”. It explains that it is a body of water that serves as a particular exit from the international shipping lanes to a brighter station – a long curve in a coastline. A bay is formed by this curve. Passenger voyages were the only means of international travel for most of human history, and they were done through one of these bights to international trans – Atlantic water lanes. Another meaning of Biafra relates to “Bia”, the Igbo word for “Come”. The word, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica likely derives from Biafar or Biafada of the Tenda ethnic group who reside mainly in Guinea Bissau. Manuel Alvares (1526- 1583) a Portuguese Jesuit educator in his work “ Ethiopia minor and a geographical account of the province of Sierra Leone”, writes about the “ Biafar Heathen” in chapter 13 of the same book. The word Biafar, an adaptation of Biafra appears to be a commonly used word in the Portuguese language in the 16th century. Early modern maps of Africa from the 15th to the 19th century drawn by European cartographers from accounts written by explorers and travelers also reveal this information. The original word used then was Biafara , and not Biafra. According to the maps, the European travelers used the word, “Biafara” to describe the entire region east of River Niger going down to the mount Camerouns. The word Biafara also appears on maps from the 18th century in the area around Gambia. On a closer linguistic level, Biafra is from the Igbo words “Bia”, meaning come and “Fara” meaning join.
The agenda
Former president of the pan – Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohanaeze, late Chief Ralph Uwaechue in a very testy mood in 2009 raised the alarm that “ Igbo marginalization can break up Nigeria”. He was speaking against the backdrop of the demand for redress in the imbalance in the federal setup which he said was skewed heavily against the Igbos. Successive governments since the end of the civil war have merely paid lip service to the slogan of “ Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation” enunciated by the then military government, according to him. He viewed the development as a time bomb, and cautioned political leaders to tread with caution in their utterances. Before then, the late Senator Francis Ellah had observed that the oft-repeated “Nigerian question” is merely the inability of the Nigerian nation to accommodate the Igbo unconditionally. The late novelist , Chinua Achebe highlighted the brewing cauldron in his “ The trouble with Nigeria.” He postulated that so long as injustice continues to be the guiding principles in the co-existence of the different ethnic groups within the national framework, so long will there be unease in the land. Apart from the clamour for full and unfettered accommodation, there is also the sinew of mistrust. Igbo elders who are opposed to secession have unsuccessfully been working quietly behind the lines to forge a mutually beneficial structure by pushing forward forcefully the Igbo agenda each time there was a National Conference. The agenda had on three different occasions been diffused and subtly rejected. Faced with frustration and weighed down by the defeat in the civil war, the casual protest lane has been adopted with unprecedented bloodletting. The Reparation Committee of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a 28-page document entitled: “Atrocities and Injustices against Ndigbo,” set out a list of demands and submitted them to President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
It reads in part: “The Federal Government should pay 400 billion naira each to the five states of the South East as compensation to those who lost loved ones, lost properties, and those still suffering dislocation today in Nigeria.
Compensation would be made to those Igbos who escaped during the pogroms and war and returned to find their jobs taken, their properties and houses occupied and their Biafran money worthless.
The group also asked the Federal Government to invest in a massive re-planning of Igbo cities with proper structures such as provision of urban water works, a sort of Marshall Plan often devised for war-ravaged area. The demand , just as many others before it never saw the light of the day. In the grip of the grim situation, the cry for Biafra has become the calming balm, which like in the scriptures is the promised land for them.
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.
The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of focusing his anti-corruption war on Ijaws from the Niger Delta part of Nigeria.
The council also rationalised the activities of oil bunkers and operators of illegal refineries in the Niger Delta, charging the federal government not to stop their activities unless it has alternatives for the participants.
The President of the IYC, Udengs Eradiri, who stated this in a chat with journalists in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, claimed that engaging in the illegal activities was a means of livelihood for those involved. He said if the participants are stopped from the illegal activities, it could give rise to another form of militancy in the region, which at its peak prior to 2009 reduced Nigeria’s crude oil production by about 50 per cent.
“Much as we support the war against oil theft, it must come with an economic plan as an alternative so that as you are going in to stop them from their way of life, provide an alternative,” he said. “Engage, employ the youths who engage in illegal refining of crude in the creeks. “But when you do otherwise, there will be effects. “That’s why you are seeing the increase in crime rate, robbery is going up, kidnapping is on the increase, they are kidnapping even ice fish sellers now. “It is because when you destroy their means of livelihood and you don’t create any alternative, it is a deliberate ploy to destabilize the Niger Delta so that businesses would not come here.”
Like oil like solid minerals The IYC leader also compared illegal crude refining to the illegal mining of solid minerals that occurs in some states in Northern Nigeria. “They say oil theft is economic sabotage, what of the illegal mining that are going on in the north?” he asked. “Is that not worst economic sabotage?” “At a point there was lead poisoning as a result of illegal mining. “The monies that they realize from illegal mining is huge, why do we not have the JTF policing illegal miners, knowing full well that the money realised from gold illegally mined is far much more than money realized from stolen oil.” He alleged that “retired generals have mines of their own in the north, the statistics are there.” “Why are we not talking about those minerals in the north that are illegally mined to the pockets of individuals? Why is it that only Niger Delta oil that is in the pages of newspapers,” he asked. Mr. Eradiri questioned the allocation of crude oil blocs by previous governments, alleging it was against the interest of Ijaws. “We must also investigate how those oil blocks were shared ,did it follow due process?”
Leave Diezani alone He also said the recent arrest of Nigeria’s ex-petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, by British authorities for money laundering was a ploy against the Ijaws. “The UK government should stay away from Diezani,” he said “This was how they muscled up and now (Diepreiye) Alamieyeseigha is dead.” “Now they have started with Diezani. They should leave Ijaw People alone. Are there no other governors that have stolen? “Go to UK, almost all the streets are owned by northerners who stole Nigeria money. So why are they just on Goodluck Jonathan’s men, just to demonise Goodluck.” The Ijaw leader alleged that the anti-corruption efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari was targeted at associates of his predecessor especially Ijaws. “As far as we are concerned, the anti-corruption fight is a fight against the Ijaw people,” he said. “Goodluck should have won Nobel Prize for peace. Goodluck deserves a Nobel peace prize, Goodluck deserves respect from Nigerians,” he said in reference to Mr. Jonathan’s decision to peacefully hand over power to Mr. Buhari after the former lost the March 2015 presidential election.
Stop TSA The IYC President also stated that the Single Treasury Account is already having a negative toll on the Nigerian economy, adding that projects by the Amnesty Office and the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC are being stifled by it. He said the Amnesty Programme is in jeopardy because the Single Treasury Account system is making it difficult for relevant institutions to carry out their constitutional and statutory functions. “We call on the President to exempt the NDDC from the Single Treasury Account,” he said. “My own understanding is that institutions that are revenue generating organizations, like NNPC,NIMASA,NPA should generate the monies and inject them to a common purse. “Not institutions that are set up particularly for special purposes, like the development of the Niger Delta.”
Victimising suspected thieves Mr. Eradiri also condemned the reported cancellation of the Maritime University in Delta State by the present administration. “Today even the institution that was set, such a special institution to build capacity of Nigerians, not only Ijaw people, just as they have police academy in the north, a special institute was set in the south, this vindictive administration have come and cancelled that university. “Nigerians should calculate how much we have spent in capital flight sending our people abroad for special courses in the maritime sector. “A university and programme were set up by Patrick Akpobolokemi (ex-NIMASA boss who is being investigated for graft). Kingsley (Kuku, ex-presidential aide on Amnesty who is being investigated for corruption) brought peace to Niger Delta, stabilized this region, but today what are they paying him with? “These individuals (Messrs Kuku and Akpobolokemi) should be people that would have been rewarded by Nigerians for their service to Nigeria,” Mr. Eradiri said.
Release Nnamdi Kanu of Radio Biafra He also called for the unconditional release of the Radio Biafra broadcaster, Nnamdi Kanu, saying Mr. Kanu and his team were raising fundamental issues similar to the one being raised by the IYC. Source
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.
I read ur piece awhile ago, aside that all your postulates are wrong and mere hear say, the worse part of it was when I found out you are in the US, so I said no wonder, you staying a a well cultured country and you are throwing stones to your home.
Like I would always advice d agitators of the sole call Biafra state or what so ever.. you first go to all d markets been controlled by your people in Lagos, which is part of the Nigera u want t o leave, you convince them to close their shops, in Alaba, tradefair, apongbon and any other markets and return to the east.. then Nigeria as a whole will see. The seriousness of it. Not just few people jobless youths and some abroad living on d past they left behind here. Ojukwu the arrow head eventually saw the waste of time and humans during d civil war, a. War people like u read about or ur grand pa told. U off. Go read about Sudan, is that the future u. Want for ur people why u sit in America wit ur kids?, tell me which country that did what u are supporting and they. World is celebrating?…. stop. living in this fantasy world. Let the struggle just leave in you guys mind. Bianca returned to be an ambassador wife of the Icon of biafra.
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Thanks so much for your feedback.
I was not surprised when I saw it because that’s the words around by mostly Yorubas and many uninformed Igbo people. It is nothing new.
My question is: why are you guys always sound alarms when you hear the word “Biafra”? Why do some of you hate Igbos so much that you are always ready to be in their way to freedom.
Ironically, when do you start loving Igbos to worry about what happens to them and how viable their request for self determination is? Is this not the case of a mourner crying louder than the bereaved?
So in your mind, once a country is formed for Biafra, every one from that side must head home to their homeland? Where is your knowledge of history, bro?
In history, how many freedom fighters live in their homeland at the start of their fight for freedom? Where did Mandela camp out when launching his anti Apatheid campaign? How about Robert Mugabe of former South Rhodesia? How about Yasser Arafat of the PLO? This is an assignment that you would take from me. Find out where they lived to launch their campaign. I would not blame you bro. I blame the fact that the oppressors skillfully removed history from schools?
When the state of Israel was formed, did the Jews leave every place they were to return home? The answer is no. Many Jews scattered all over the world are settled in their place of abode and only visit home. Most are where ever they are to influence the decision making process in US, UK and all other world powers. Some are still afraid and fear for their security. It is a choice that free people make for themselves. We don’t need sympathisers to tell us what to expect. How bad can it be? Can it be worse than what it is already? Igbos are killed in the north daily. They face discrimination at work. Policies are made determined to hold them down. You know it. Everyone knows it. So it’s either you let them go or you fix the injustices.
You are worried about if the traders in Alaba or Ladipo would close shop because of Biafra? Don’t worry about them, the revenue to Lagos State would still be there since it is the traders’ prerogative to know which side fits their business. Have you not seen Americans living in Nigeria making millions in the oil and gas sector and only visit home to US on holidays?
As for where I stay, does it matter where I live? Does the government policy not affect me and my people? Do you know anything about me to decide for me where to live? Does the fact that I live abroad change the situation of my people? So if Nigeria is doing well, do you think that many people would actually live abroad?
Why does Nigerian especially most from the South West the leaders in clogging the wheel of progress for Nigeria? The Nigerian government policy in commerce, industries, ports, airports etc are well laid to punish Igbos. Why are the sea ports in PH and Calabar not functioning?
Why are there no international airports in the east save for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport commissioned by GEJ few years ago. Even the one at PH, how many international flights originate from there daily and how many don’t stop over at Lagos?
Why were industries and companies opened by Igbos forced to close down. I give you an example. Slock Airline, Sosoliso etc. How about banks owned by Igbos like Savanna Bank? How about Ibeto cement, sugar and floor which was forced to close in favor of Dangote cement? Have you forgotten the N20 given to all with millions in accounts after the war? Abandoned property policy nko?
My brother, you cannot on one hand tell the Igbos to stay in Nigeria and on the other molest them with the policies in commerce, education, ports etc. It is either you want Igbos or you don’t want them. A rejected man does not reject himself. What does Nigeria gain by allowing Igbos to stay put in Nigeria? Why do we agitate for self determination? Have you not heard of Oduduwa Republic? What do you say about it?
I pray to God to open your mind and not close them. Think deeper and harder of what the future would be if all these injustices continue. With the youth still unemployed and hopeless, there would come a time when they have nothing more to lose.
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.
It is quite surprising how all of a sudden the so-called illegal Radio Biafra reportedly being operated by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, said to be resident in the United Kingdom, is increasingly becoming a source of serious concern to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, a section of Nigerian online media, and some Nigerian elements who are wont to believe that Ndigbo must always dance to their tune or do what suits their thinking and/or act in line with their personal and group expectations – so as to be qualified to be called good citizens of Nigeria or, better still, nationalists. What beautiful nonsense!
It is quite surprising how all of a sudden the so-called illegal Radio Biafra reportedly being operated by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, said to be resident in the United Kingdom, is increasingly becoming a source of serious concern to the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, a section of Nigerian online media, and some Nigerian elements who are wont to believe that Ndigbo must always dance to their tune or do what suits their thinking and/or act in line with their personal and group expectations – so as to be qualified to be called good citizens of Nigeria or, better still, nationalists. What beautiful nonsense!
Similarly surprising is the rate at which the operator of this now all-important Radio Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is being denigrated by the officials of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and their retinue of parasitic sycophants.
Little wonder that while some of these officials now seem be dissipating a lot of energy, time, and resources striving to outdo one another in a bid to jam the signals of Radio Biafra, the security operatives are reportedly busy loafing around all nooks and crannies of the South-East and South-South geo-political zones searching for the sponsors of this pirate station.
Furthermore, it smacks of curiosity that these operatives appear to be carrying out this task with more vigour, strength, uncommon commitment, and unprecedented diligence than they seem to have so far deployed in the perennial fight against the Boko Haram terrorists that have been wrecking havoc here and there in the Northern region.
Apparently in an effort to shore up what seemed to remain of its dwindling image – which has been adversely dealt with by the seemingly superior strategies and operations of the Boko Haram sect – and in order to create the impression of possessing the technical knowhow to control the country’s airwaves, the government, through the instrumentality of the National Broadcasting Commission, recently announced its success in jamming the signals of Radio Biafra.
According to Dr. Yemi Folashade Esan, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, “right now the signals from Radio Biafra have been jammed successfully by the NBC.”
As pleasant as this remark sounds, there is no gainsaying that only time and events will give credibility to this claim.
Now let us dwell on the crux of the matter about the things believed to be said or done wrongly by Radio Biafra. First of all, apart from the media reports about the station’s pejorative reference to President Muhammadu Buhari as terrorist-in-Chief and sundry other names, which is roundly deplorable, could it be empirically wrong for rational minds in a sane society to think that the station’s metaphoric use of the word “zoo” or “zoological republic” in describing the degrading and appalling state of human existence in Nigerian today is really misplaced? For sure, this should as a matter of fact be the fundamental question of concern to all of us, even as we continue to take a swipe at the general operations and content of the pirate radio station.
As it were, going by the abysmal, unacceptable, and in fact clearly uncontrollable spate of killings and wanton destruction of property on a daily basis by the Boko Haram beasts (existing in the form of human beings) since the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari, could it not be an understatement to submit that the Radio Biafra’s characterization of Nigeria as a ‘zoo’ is a mild word in the depiction of the near animalistic state of living in the North-East geo-political zone? For goodness sake, how else do we aptly describe a situation whereby human beings are daily slaughtered like animals in Nigeria by the Boko Haram sect? Or, how else do we rationalize a state of human existence with a government ostensibly in place whereby no fewer than 625 innocent and hapless Nigerians got butchered in a day in four villages in Borno state as reported by Vanguard Newspaper on July 14, 2015?
Funny enough, not even in the US nowadays would anybody take the lives of ordinary animals in just a day and in such a large number without the government swiftly unveiling the deadliest fangs of its law enforcement in retaliation. But here we are watching our government setting 182 Boko Haram suspects free on grounds that they had been duly investigated, discharged, and acquitted. Indeed!
In fact, no matter the things that we do or say against the Radio Biafra and its operator, Nnamdi Kanu, the point is that Nigeria cannot live in self-delusion forever, more so now that the government of the day appears to be pontificating so much about change – though one hopes that this is far from being a lip-service approach aimed at taking Nigerians for a ride.
Undoubtedly, there is need for change in the style of governance in Nigeria. But then, the change the country needs or desires is not such that is currently being tilted in favour of the Hausa-Fulani and a few of their northern brethren, in collaboration with their fellow ‘Muslim brothers’ in the South-West. Of course this desired change ought not to encapsulate or envisage the emerging notion (as evidenced so far in President Buhari’s appointment) that the people of northern Nigeria know it more than their southern counterparts and as such have a duty to take over all the strategic security and other positions in the country, to the exclusion of others co-existing with them in this multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious entity called Nigeria.
Meanwhile, if there is one known fact that is increasingly endearing the people of South-East and South-South to the so-called illegal Radio Biafra (to the chagrin and discomfort of Buhari’s government), it is best to be situated in the perceived witch-hunt by the present national leadership. Rightly or wrongly, its first rash decision to transfer a whole lot of high risk Boko Haram detainees/prisoners to an unworthy prison facility at Ekwuluobi in the South-Eastern state of Anambra speaks volumes about the validity of the stereotyped mindset of President Buhari’s government vis-a-vis Ndigbo. And this may help to explicate the rationale behind the fortune being made by Radio Biafra in the area of securing the attention of the public.
Though it has always been easy for those who enjoy the privilege of being in the media or having access to the media to put in the public domain fierce polemics against peoples’ projects that are apparently antithetical to the interest they represent or protect. Yet it must be noted that the role of the media, whether print, electronic or online, on this issue of Radio Biafra should go beyond attacking the station. At the very best, there is need for caution, profound reflection, and candid analysis on this issue. Like the British Broadcasting corporation (BBC) Hausa service which champions the cause of the Hausa people all over the world, it may not be out of place to say that the Radio Biafra fundamentally exists to serve and promote the cause and interest of the people of Igbo extraction both at home and in Diaspora.
To this end, it does not seem to make sense that Premium Times, an online media, in its July 10, 2015 Editorial, erroneously tried to equate the activities of Radio Biafra with Radio Television Libre des Mille (RTLMC) that allegedly aided the massacre of 500,000 Rwandans during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Truth be told, there is hardly any station that caters and propagates solely the cause of a nation that does not err from time to time in terms of providing controversial content to its listeners. As a matter of fact, we may recall that it was reportedly on the BBC Hausa Service interview segment that our current President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, allegedly issued his notorious threat about the possibility of monkey and baboon’s blood oozing out on the streets in the event the 2015 general election failed to meet his group’s and his own expectations. And here lies one of the challenges associated with the existence of a cause radio station or a global radio station that permanently runs a cause programme for a nationality co-existing with other nationalities within the same geographical entity and under a supreme authority (one government).
What is more, if indeed Radio Biafra is illegal on account of the pronouncement by Dr. Yemi Folashade Esan, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, merely because the station does not have a licence obtained from Nigerian government to be on her airwaves, then it stands to question if the BBC, Voice of America, Radio Deutsche Welle and their ilk, which freely operate on our airwaves, do so because they are issued with Nigerian government’s licences or basically because of their ownership, possession and use of superior technology/technical knowhow.
But be that as it may, it is high time the government left Radio Biafra alone and minded its business of governance, especially as it concerns its efforts in containing the unabated offensive being launched daily by the Boko Haram insurgents. Endlessly chasing shadow in the guise of fighting to jam the signals of Radio Biafra will only continue to attract more attention and listenership for the radio station. This is why it is imperative for President Muhammadu Buhari to start addressing cases of injustice, inequality, and inequity (which abound in our polity) against the people of the enclave whose cause and interest the pirate radio station claims to be pursuing. This is one major way of making the vast majority of the people concerned think and act less for and in defense of Radio Biafra.
Onyiorah Paschal Chiduluemije, a Journalist, writes from
Abuja via duluemije4justice@yahoo.com – 07012130204
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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