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S’South Group Rejects Biafra …As Activist Flays Arewa Youth’s Quit Notice
A group known as the South-South Patriots (SSP) says the region is not in any way part of the agitation for Biafra.
After a one-day executive meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday, the group resolved that “the territory of South-South is not part of Igbos’ agitation and self-determination of a country called Biafra”.
A 12-point communique signed by the Leader of the group, Prince Kingsley Ndedu, the Secretary, Mr. Joseph Udoh, Chief Mobilization Officer, Mr. Aigberemhon Moses and three others read in part, “It is on the record that, in the year 1966, the Igbos derailed the first democratically elected government through a coup led by Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu in an attempt to suppress Nigeria and Nigerians.
“The Igbos’ domineering tendencies they attempted on Nigeria in 1966 that could not be achieved are now tilted towards the South-South geo-political zone which is totally not acceptable.
“Self-determination can actually be achieved in two ways mainly; peaceful means through referendum and war, which is the most painful with loss of lives. Eritrea achieved theirs through war. In the case of South Sudan, the country has seen no peace after the peaceful separation from the North, as the country is now in Civil War”, the group added.
Meanwhile, the notice to Igbos to quit the Northern part of the country by a coalition of Arewa youth on or before October 1, 2017, has been described as not only wrong but also a condemnable hate message, which should not be allowed to threaten the unity and peaceful co-existence of the country.
This was the view of a Niger Delta activist and sustainable development advocate, Dr Sokari Soberekon, when he spoke with newsmen, in Port Harcourt, recently, against the backdrop of calls by some disillusioned groups for secession.
He said such call was capable of splitting the country, if appropriate measures were not taken to tame its purveyors.
Soberekon, noted that the best sermon to preach now was that of love and peace as demonstrated by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
He regretted that the quit notice has subjected the Igbos in the North to a reasonable level of fear, and emphasised the need for concerned authorities to do the needful to prevent the unexpected from happening.
Defending his position over the Arewa youth’s threat, Soberekon, said the call, if allowed to come to fruition, may likely lead to counter order by the Igbos, thereby, snowballing into a major crisis capable of causing another Civil War.
He insisted that restructuring of the country would go a long way in fixing some of the visible challenges facing the effective functioning of the federation, pointing out that further delay may not go down well with the Niger Deltans.
On whether Rivers State would accept the Igbos should the quit notice stand, he said “both the Igbos and other federating units would be allowed only with the Holy Bible or Koran as passport”, adding that Rivers State was a holy city.
He also stressed that Niger Delta was not part of Biafra as claimed by some Biafran agitators, hinting that the name Biafra was adopted by the British Government for navigational purposes.
The Senior Advocate of the Niger Delta (SAND), as he is fondly called by his associates, further advised the Igbos to consider the need to dwell and develop the 12 cities in the East.
He listed the cities to include, Enugu, Umuahia, Aba, Awka, Nnewi, Abakaliki, Owerri, Okigwe, Onitsha and Nsukka, among others.
Speaking further, Soberekon, called on the Federal Government to provide adequate security for the Igbos in the North even before the deadline to quit expires.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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