Fiery Catholic priest and the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has demanded unconditional release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Kanu was arrested on June 27, extradited to Nigeria, and re-arraigned in court on June 29. He is currently being remanded in DSS custody still July 26. Read here.

The Nation reports that Mbaka reportedly made the call during a sermon on Sunday July 11. He advised the Federal Government to deploy same vigor with which Kanu was arrested deal with arrest insecurity, poverty, unemployment, activities of herdsmen, injustice and pragmatic nepotism.

He reportedly made the request for Kanu’s release when some government agents whom he did not mention, came calling with some juicy offers to him which he turned down.

“Some persons came to me sometimes ago, that they have two slots for me. I told them I don’t need such offer because I have a slot that I need. They said I should mention what I need,” he began.

My first request was that they should release Nnamdi Kanu because since you people arrested him, we have lost many lives, so of what use is his arrest if after he was arrested, kidnapping hasn’t stopped in the North, thus, arresting him doesn’t solve the problem.

Has anybody seen Nnamdi Kanu kill anybody? He’s not a murderer. Have they caught him with guns, so why arrest him? Where were the nation’s security agencies when several students were kidnapped?” he said

“The administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is determined to successfully accomplish the Computer Village relocation to a more conducive and business-friendly environment. This would help to address the environmental challenges created by the market in Ikeja.”

These are the words of the Honorable Commissioner of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, when he was speaking on the partnership between the state government and Bridgeways Global Projects Limited  on the development of the Lagos ICT Business Park in Katangowa, with the Coalition of Associations in Computer Village (CACOVI) as the major beneficiaries funded by Sterling Alternative Finance. 

The Lagos ICT Business Park, Katangowa is the first of its kind in Africa and will elevate the status of Lagos as a global technology location. It is far beyond providing real estate for the development of another ‘computer village.’ The ICT Business Park will provide the infrastructure to incubate and accelerate the development of technology solutions that can improve development outcomes on the African continent. 

The first phase of the project boasts of 3810 Lock up shops, 4336 Kee Klamps, 1020 Market Stalls, 24 Premium Shops, 128 2 Bedroom Apartments, 3 Stand Alone Food Courts, 12 300-Seater Kitchen Buka and 1 Terrace Food Court.

Sterling Alternative Finance offers attractive financing opportunity to eligible traders under the umbrella of Coalition of Associations in Computer Village (CACOVI) who are currently hosted in Computer Village, Ikeja. Eligible traders will enjoy Non-Interest Lease Financing with as low as 5% deposit and a N23,197 monthly instalment payment. 

The partnership with Sterling Alternative Finance offers eligible traders an opportunity to own a shop in the ICT Business Park and a piece of choice real estate investment based on convenient and affordable financing terms. 

Nigerians can expect more exciting, value providing & enriching partnerships from the Sterling Alternative team in the nearest the future.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has threatened to issue a bench warrant of arrest on a former Aviation Minister, Senator Stella Oduah, if she fails to appear in court for trial on October 19.

The judge gave the warning today Monday, July 12, when Oduah who now represents Anambra North Senatorial District in the Senate, and some other defendants were absent at the proceedings with no explanation from their lawyers

In the 25-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC, Oduah and the nine other defendants are accused, among others, of engaging in the laundering of about N10billion. They are particularly charged with conspiracy, money laundering and maintaining anonymous bank accounts with an old generation bank.

Named with Oduah, as defendants in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020 are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi, Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd, Sobora International Ltd and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Ltd.

At the mention of the case today, the court noted only the second and third defendants (Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi) were present.

The development prompted the prosecuting lawyer, Hassan Liman (SAN) to complain about the absence of the other defendants without any explanation from their lawyers. It was at this junction that the judge threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the former Minister and the other defendants.

Chidimma the suspected killer of the Super TV CEO, Lagos has changed her story. Please find the video below:

Source: FrancaWhite

The government of the United Kingdom has warned that the 2023 general elections may not hold in Nigeria if the current spate of violence and insecurity continues.

The Director, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in the United Kingdom, Chris Beecroft made the submission yesterday during the launch of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative (PISI) in Abuja.

Beecroft identified active insurgency in the North East; farmers-herders conflicts which are extending across the country, resource conflicts in the Niger Delta, the tension in the South-East and banditry in the North West as some of the major challenges.

The UK government official however said a solution is definitely possible but requires all stakeholders to work together.

He noted that while the military and the police need to be strengthened, the solution to Nigeria’s security challenge does not lie in that alone but in reconciliation, mediation, arbitration, and access to justice as well.

He said: “We are at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s journey, and now is an important moment for new thinking and action to build a more peaceful future for all Nigerians.

“The Foreign, Common-wealth and Development Office values our relationship with the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and have supported the NGF through our programs, including SPARC, PERL and most recently the Technical Assistance provided in framing the Peace and Inclusive Security initiative, PISI.

“Nigeria faces significant peace and security challenges. There is an active insurgency in the North East; farmer-herder conflicts are extending across the country; resource conflicts in the Delta; tension in the South-East; and banditry in the North West. The rise in conflict risks destabilizing Nigeria’s democracy in the run-up to the 2023 elections.

“Conflict destroys lives, destroys livelihoods, destroys hope and ambition for the future. Conflict represents an existential threat to Nigeria’s unity and its development.

‘’The police and army are in urgent need of reform-but the solution to Nigeria’s instability does not lie in simply strengthening the police and army-but rather in building an effective social contract, building federal, state, local and community level infrastructure to manage conflict; and in giving young people jobs and opportunities so they have a stake in a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria.

‘’Injustice and impunity, weak Justice institutions, the proliferation of small arms and weapons, the weaponization of social media, are all drivers of conflict and instability. But with the right commitment, dedication, and support, there are solutions.

“The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, recognizes the important role NGF plays in setting the peace and security agenda, building state-level and community level structures and institutions to reduce violence and respond to conflict and insecurity across Nigeria.

“The FCDOis keen to continue its collaboration with and support for the government of Nigeria in its efforts to deal with the mounting insecurity. The UK is pleased to have been able to support this initiative and is committed to continuing working with the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, in advancing its peace and security agenda.

“The UK is engaged in supporting Nigeria to reduce violent conflict in a number of areas; we promote a regional response in the North East and Lake Chad Basin through our contribution to the Regional Stabilisation Facility, RSF, and delivery of programs on peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, protection of civilians, human development, good governance, and accountability.

‘’All our programming, whether focused on health, education, economic growth, or governance, works to reduce the risk of violent conflict and support peace-building infrastructure.

“Peace and stability will be achieved when the causes of conflict in society are managed through strong, fair, and responsive governance mechanisms, whether at community, state, or federal level.

‘’The use of the police and army will always be only part of the solution. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on reconciliation, mediation, arbitration, and access to justice – all vital components of a vibrant, resilient, and effective social contract.”

Also speaking at the launch, Chairman of NGF and Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country had also worsened the security challenges in the country and increased the level of violence and fatalities from crime.

According to him, between May 2011 and February 2021, over 76,000 deaths were reported by the press and tracked by the Nigeria Security Tracker, NST – project of the Council on Foreign Relations, Africa program, which documents violence in Nigeria.

In the words of Fayemi, ‘’Today’s event heralds an important milestone for the Forum as we seek to build a more inclusive and collaborative platform to drive an urgent country-wide response to the security challenges our country is facing.

“Nigeria is still at the crossroads. One of the key areas where there is an urgent need for consensual action today is security governance, given the escalation in the spate of violence and coordinated criminal activities that have undermined government authority and waned public trust in recent times.

‘’The level of insecurity across parts of the country is not only eroding citizens’ safety and people’s means of livelihood, but it is also threatening the expression of the rights of all Nigerians.

President Buhari on Saturday, July 10, condemned the repeated bandit killings in Zamfara and Kaduna States, urging the military to respond to the worrying situation in a language that the bandits understand.

According to a statement released by Femi Adesina, special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, the President notes that the military, and other security agencies are now working on new methods and policies that are yielding good results in many of the troubled parts of the country and calls for a crushing response to the killing of innocent citizens in the rural communities.

”He also averts that the nation, its military and the entire population needs to summon the courage required to defeat the bandits and terrorists.

President Buhari condemns some politicians making utterances on security, merely seeking applause, advising them to join the ongoing genuine efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the nation.

He expresses the nation’s sorrow over the loss of lives, urging security agencies to do everything possible to prevent the recurrence of attacks with impunity.” Adesina’s statement read

Over 35 people were killed on Thursday morning following attacks launched by bandits in five communities of Faru district in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State. 

The affected communities include Gudan-Baushi, Gidan-Adamu,Gudan-Maidawa, Tsauni, and Wari .

Spokesperson of the state Police Command, Mohammed Shehu who confirmed the number of people killed in the attack, said police officers failed to reach the affected communities on time when they were informed of the invasion due to the poor road network.

Punch reported that he also maintained that the “police are currently working tirelessly” to bring the assailants to justice.

Shehu was quoted saying; 

“The police personnel tried their best to reach the affected communities on receiving the information that the bandits were there but unfortunately they could not reach the places because of the bad roads.”

A source from the area, Malam Buba Faru, who spoke to the publication, said the bandits who were riding over 100 motorcycles, stormed the communities around 11 am on Thursday morning shooting indiscriminately and leaving a wake of destruction in their path.

The eyewitness said the number of casualties was more than the official figure put forth by the police.

The source told Punch; 

“They were shooting sporadically at people they came across in the five communities. They also attacked farmers who were in their farmlands cultivating their crops. 

“So far, 42 dead bodies have been recovered by the security and volunteer groups in the area.”

The corpses were taken to Faru town where they were buried.

Our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi on this day, 8th of July 2021 directed that I, Simon Ekpa should start broadcasting from Radio Biafra with immediate effect.

On this note, it is honour, and at the same time, a call to service, a call to serve Biafra nation and a call to serve lovers of freedom.

This task, i will do with everything in me to see that we maintain the momentum and the legacy of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB.

I will serve with everything in me and i will double my effort in media, diplomacy and otherwise to the best interest of Biafra people.

I am just a servant and I will serve.

Our leader will continue to lead this struggle from where ever he is.

I am Simon Ekpa, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s disciple on Biafra restoration.

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has kicked against the decision of the Edo state government to take custody of the 1,130 stolen Benin artefacts that are in the process of being repatriated from Germany. 

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki and the other top government officials are currently in Germany to facilitate the return of the stolen artefacts that were allegedly looted during the invasion of the Benin Kingdom in 1897 by the British led by Captain Philip.

While the palace wants the artefacts kept in the Benin Royal Museum which will be built within the palace, the state government wants the items preserved in the proposed Edo Museum of West African Arts which would be funded and executed by a private company named Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd.

At a press conference held on Friday at the palace, the Benin monarch said that there was no controversy over the issue as an agreement had been reached that the artefacts would be housed in the royal museum. He opined that since the artefacts were stolen from the Benin palace, it is expected that they be returned to the monarch when they are repatriated.

“I have called this meeting today (Friday) to intimate you of the matter of the Benin artefacts in Europe on the verge of being repatriated, which I am sure you have heard and read about in recent weeks. You may also have heard about the recent activities of a group of individuals who incorporated a company since January 2020 called Legacy Restoration Trust Limited.

It has become germane to note that the advocacy and demands for the return of the artefacts looted from the Benin Kingdom in 1897 have been going on for decades before the emergence of the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki. I must sincerely thank the governor for joining the struggle and showing commitment to retrieve our stolen cultural heritage from Europe.

While anticipating the return of the looted artefacts from Europe, I want to note that attempts to divert the destination or the right of custody of the artefacts is not in the interest of the people of Benin Kingdom, to whom the Palace of the Oba of Benin provides leadership. The looted artefacts awaiting repatriation from Europe are the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom created by our ancestors and forefathers within the traditional norms and rites of the kingdom.

They are not property of the state government or any private corporate entity that is not a creation of the Benin Kingdom. The right and only legitimate destination for the artefacts to be repatriated as already pronounced by my father is under the aegis of the Benin Royal Museum that will be sited within the precincts of the Palace of the Oba of Benin, from where they were looted, and also, the proper traditional institution that is also the custodian of all the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom.

The palace, therefore, strongly advises that anyone, group, organisation, or government – national and international – that is dealing with any organisation or artificial group in the process of returning the looted artefacts from the Benin Kingdom would be doing so at their own risk and against the will of the people of the Benin Kingdom.”

Speaking further, Oba Ewuare II said

“I informed him (Obaseki) that Oba Ewuare II Foundation had been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and had worked out a framework for not only receiving the artefacts but also building a modern structure, the Benin Royal Museum, within the precincts of the palace and that land has been secured for the building of the Benin Royal Museum under the supervision of the traditional institution.

But for reasons best known to him, the governor has gone against the understanding, given recent events. As a matter of fact, the people of Benin Kingdom and other stakeholders, especially the Benin Dialogue Group, had at different meetings endorsed the Benin Royal Museum to be built within the palace, as well as endorsing the Oba Ewuare II Foundation for fundraising and other requisite administration processes.

We wish to use this medium to call on the Federal Government to take custody of these artefacts on behalf of the palace until the Benin Royal Museum is ready for their collection. Under no circumstances should the custody of our age-old artefacts be handed to any privately contrived entity like Legacy Restoration Trust.”

The wife of a politician in Yobe state, Maryam Adamu, has shared the heartbreaking story of how her husband was gruesomely murdered by Boko Haram insurgents right in front of her.

In an interview with The Nation, Adamu who is a mother of four described her deceased husband as a politician who helped politicians vying for any political position distribute items to the electorates during any election.

“My husband was a politician. He was like a delegate in the local government. During campaigns, politicians like the chairman or councillors bring food and palliatives for my husband to share with the people here. They bring the items to our house.

I sometimes share the food items and sometimes wrappers with women; it could be sugar, rice or millet and any other supportive package.

My husband will collect them and write down the names of the people that will benefit. We used to do this together. He was a man with a very good heart. He has the interest of the people at heart. He was loving and caring not just to his family but everyone else in the community.” he said

On how he was gruesomely murdered, Adamu who described the day as one of the darkest in her life said

”They will either fish out the men or the young males, kill them or ask them to stay aside and were later taken away.

My husband was killed alongside other ten men, in an attack which was carried out by the Boko Haram people. They killed both young and old, from ages 13 and above. They were all shot dead. They selected and took others away.

My husband was killed right in front of me. I covered him with my wrapper and hijab. They were looking for him when they gathered the people. You know that Boko Haram did not like politicians and my husband was a politician. A very popular one at that time. As they were killing people, one of the Boko Haram came to me and asked where my husband was. I told him, I don’t know. He asked me to stand up, before I could stand, he opened my wrapper and hijab, removed my husband and slaughtered him in my presence. It is such an experience I find very difficult to recall. I still recall that a stray bullet hit a pregnant woman who was sitting just beside me on that fateful day. She was bleeding seriously. I doubt if she survived because there was no medical care.

Speaking on life after the demise of her husband, Ms. Adamu said

“Throughout my years of marriage with my husband, I knew as human beings and as Muslims that we shall die one day but the way my husband left me has left a deep scar in my heart.

Everything is on me, feeding, health care, education and all other basic needs. Sometimes I sell beans cake and fried yam, while sometimes I cook rice for my children to sell just for us to survive.

When it is the farming season we hire land from the people to farm. We pay the sum of ten thousand Naira or twenty thousand Naira for a piece of land. Our only problem is the Fulani herdsmen who usually destroy our farms, especially last year when they ate everything that I cultivated with my children. We are hoping to go again this year as we pray for a blessed rainy season. Farming helped us, it is what gives us hope but our biggest problem is the Fulani herdsmen, they destroy our farms completely and left us with nothing.

I manage to send my children to school even with the current difficulties, some to government schools while others to Islamic. We are hoping to go back to our houses; we left everything and ran away. I am hoping for peace to be restored so we can move back to our houses. We are now living in a house built with grass. Life now is very difficult and praying for help from God almighty”

Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo state governor, was at the Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN), Friday, July 9, to pay his last respects to the founder, TB Joshua.

At the funeral service for the televangelist, who is an Ondo state indigene, the Ondo state governor eulogized the deceased.

Akeredolu described the deceased as a “special child” and a man of peace and love.

He said the late church leader visited him after he won the governorship election, but did not say if it was when he was first elected in 2016 or reelected in 2020.

Akeredolu said: “He touched lives of special people economically and spiritually. We want to recall him for the great works he did on this side of the divide.

“I can testify personally to the good things I have benefitted from him. When I won the governorship election in Ondo state. He drove to Owo and something went wrong with his vehicle in Akure.

“He told me he has come to wish me well and pray. And when he was leaving he put something in my pocket. I won’t tell you how much he put in my pocket.”

Akeredolu added that TB Joshua paid the electricity bills of four local governments in Ondo state and donated electrical transformers to some communities without power.

He urged followers of the Synagogue church to emulate his “originality” and engage in good deeds.