Nation
Shoot-At-Sight Order, Declaration Of War On Igbo, Group Tells Army
A group of Igbo professionals, Nzuko Umunna, say the shoot at sight order reportedly issued to troops in the South-East is a declaration of war by the Nigerian Army.
An open letter dated May 11, 2021, signed by Dr. N. Odumuko and Dr. P. Mbanefo, advised the military to tread with caution.
The letter was addressed to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and copied to the Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, the United Nations as well as the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, among others.
The organization noted that the directive seems to have been given unofficially in a hush-hush manner, making the situation more ominous.
They warned that a ‘shoot-on-sight is tantamount to an order to exterminate innocent citizens as there is no telling who might be part of the collateral, unintended casualties.
“Throughout history, such military strategies or policies always run the risk of going contrary to all accepted conventions and protocols on the rules of engagement, particularly the Rome Statutes.
“In fact, it can be read as genocide whereas in this case, there is a clear and evident danger of such action resulting in high casualties. If the speculation was to bear any atom of truth, then it amounts to a declaration of war on the area.”
Nzuko Umunna said even if the federal government decided to declare war on the South-East or a part of it, then it must observe the standard international protocols for such engagements.
“One of such is the requirement to publicly and unambiguously declare that a war situation has arisen in such a place so that those who wish to, especially the civilians and innocent citizens, can withdraw from such a place. That has not been done.”
The group questioned the Army directive and contended that the situation in the South-East is not different from the insecurity in other regions.
Nzuko Umunna urged Attahiru to clear the air on “this very disturbing issue” and explain the order it described as overzealousness, so as to douse the tension and rumours of planned extra-judicial killings.
Nation
Rivers Deputy Governor Hails PH City One Love For Humanitarian Gesture
Rivers state Deputy Governor Professor Ngozi Nma Odu has commended “The Port Harcourt City One Love,”a Port Harcourt based humanitarian orgnisation For it’s commitment towards alleviating the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable in the society.
Professor Ngozi Nma Odu said this while speaking at this year’s edition of “operation feed the needy” a yearly outreach program of “The Port Harcourt City One Love ” in Port Harcourt.
The Deputy Governor said by feeding more than sixty thousands hungry people within the past six years, the Port Harcourt City One Love Movement has distinguished itself as a club that cares for the less privilege in the society.
She commended the , organization for listing eleven thousand persons to be fed in the current exercise.
Meanwhile The Port Harcourt City One Love has planned a permanent solution to the problem of feeding the poor in the state.
The leader of the group Mr Idaere Gogo Ogan who said this in an interview with newsmen during the distribution of food items to the poor and vulnerables in Port Harcourt said the organization is planning a permanent food kitchen where poor and vulnerable persons can work in anytime and get fed.
Idaere Gogo Ogan said more than sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons across Port Harcourt City and environs have been fed since the inception of “The operation feed the needy” program six years ago,adding that so far sixty thousands poor and vulnerable persons have beneffited.
He described the group as a platform to promote friendship, brotherhood, community development empathy and feeding the less privilege and hungry people
“That’s what we are doing today here,so we started the exercise six years ago”.he said.
Ogan said the effort was a private sector driven initiative but added “it also involves people in Government because the platform does not recognize any division,we bring everybody together in unity , friendship and brotherhood”he said.
He said the effort will go along way in alleviating hunger especially following the prevailing hunger in the country.
According to him “you know the country is very tough, people are hungry people are starving, there is a whole lot of economic hardship,so for us, this is just our own way of reaching out, our own social contribution to what is very difficult”he said.
Over eleven thousand persons were fed in the just concluded exercise.
Areas of coverage include, Isaac Boro park, Port Harcourt prison/Macoba, Borokiri/Enugu waterside Bundu areas Waterlines and others.
Some of the beneficiaries including an 80 years old widow commended the movement for the annual programm and urged other organizations to emulate them
John Bibor,/Esuuk Oyet/Suotor Memoye /Jeremiah Hannah
Nation
We’ll Partner Private Sector to Industrialize Rivers State – Fubara …Hints Revitalization of Ahoada, Trans Amadi Industrial layout
Nation
SheVentures Open Zero-interest Loan Applications for Women Entrepreneurs
“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively. Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.
“This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs”, Edun said.
Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo said access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs.
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