News
Innoson’s Arrest: Group Demands Magu’s Sack
A conglomerate of Igbo associations across the globe, Global Igbo Alliance (GIA) has lampooned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the arrest of the Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, describing the action as ‘unimaginably’ illegal.
A statement jointly signed by the group’s President and Secretary, Dr. Christian Duru and Mrs. Chinwe Eboh is calling for the sack of the EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu.
The statement said it was disgraceful and disappointing to note that the EFCC has not yet apologised to the industrialist after it raided and allegedly used tear-gas in the residence before arresting and detaining him.
The statement read: “Chief Chukwuma was brutally arrested in seemingly questionable circumstances by the EFCC operatives, who allegedly slapped his wife in the process. GIA continues to condemn this act of lawlessness by an agency of government, and demands that the Federal Government and the EFCC apologise to Chukwuma immediately.
“We also recall that about a year ago, an Igbo son, Mr. Clement Ibeto of Ibeto Cement Company was also humiliated by the EFCC. And so was another Igbo son, Mr. Ifeanyi Uba of Capital Oil and Gas humiliated by the Department of State Services (DSS).
“These are Igbo sons, who have done so well as industrialists and have created employment opportunities for very many Nigerians in a country, where the government of the day struggles to create employments for her citizenry.
“It is also recallable that in September, last year, the military in an operation codenamed, ‘Python Dance,’ invaded the palace of Nnamdi Kanu`s parents in Abia State, leaving many dead and missing. Mr Nnamdi Kanu and his parents remain missing till today.
“In the early hours of January 1, this year, a UK-based Igbo journalist and publisher of Elomba.com, Mr. Daniel Eloba was allegedly arrested like a common criminal from his home in Nnewi and taken to Abuja in such a humiliating manner.
“He was arrested alongside his brother, while his wife, young children and aged mother watched in horror. The eloquent journalist was allegedly arrested following an “order from above” for criticizing President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The list of mistreatments against notable individuals of Igbo extraction gives no one, particularly the Igbo, any hope of safety under the current administration.
“We clearly condemned these and equally wondered why some people from a certain part of Nigeria are always treated as sacred cows, while their Igbo counterparts have always been treated with disdain and contempt. Can a palace or home of any northern emir or a credible successful wealthy northern Muslim businessman be invaded or treated with such an alarming opprobrium by any security agency without heaven breaking loose?
“Why is the treatment of their Igbo counterparts being regrettably so different? Why is the treatment of south-eastern Nigerians, particularly the Igbo, continuously being met with different anomalous rules by the current government and its security agencies, yet we are called one Nigeria?”
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Oil & Energy12 hours agoWe Are Elevated Through Plethora Of Projects —- Obagi HCDT Board … As Senator Attributes Success To PIA
-
Business12 hours agoNCAA Certifies Elin Group Aircraft Maintenance
-
Maritime12 hours agoCustoms To Scan 200 Containers Per Hour At Apapa Port
-
Rivers12 hours ago
ECOWAS Parliament Adopts AI In Lawmaking
-
News12 hours agoNIGERIA AT 65: FUBARA HARPS ON UNITY, PEACE
-
Opinion12 hours ago184 Days of the Locust in Rivers State
-
News12 hours agoFG moves to avert fuel supply crisis, promises stability
-
City Crime12 hours agoIndustry Braces For Glut And Investor Demands