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Kanu: Britain Demands Explanation From Nigeria

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.IPOB, MASSOB Berate Kenyan President, FG

The United Kingdom has stated that it will seek clarification from the Federal Government of Nigeria on the circumstances and legality of the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu.

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra was re-arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, two days after he was arrested and extradited to the country.

However, the Head of Communications, British High Commission, Mr Dean Hurlock, restated that Nnamdi Kanu, who is a British citizen, was not arrested or extradited from its territory.

Hurlock said, “We can reaffirm that Nnamdi Kanu was not arrested in the UK nor was he extradited from the UK.

“With regards to any questions about the possible legality of his arrest, the British High Commission in Abuja is currently in the process of seeking clarification from the Nigerian government about the circumstances of the arrest.”

Hurlock further confirmed that British Government was ready to provide consular assistance to Kanu.

He said, “With regard to any questions about whether the British High Commission is providing assistance in this case, we can confirm that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stands ready to provide consular assistance.

“With regard to any questions about what the UK thinks about the proposed legal process that Nnamdi Kanu is facing in Nigeria, the UK would expect any trial or legal proceedings to follow due process.”

However, Nnamdi Kanu is expected to return to court on July 26.

The lead counsel to the detained IPOB leader, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said members of the legal team had formally applied to the Department of State Service to allow them access to their client.

Recall that Kanu, who is facing trial for treasonable felony, jumped bail in 2017 and fled the country for the UK when soldiers stormed his parents’ residence at Afaraukwu, Abia State.

He is now being remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services by the order of the Federal High Court.

Similarly, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), yesterday, accused the President Uhuru Kenyatta, of Kenya, of stopping so low to allegedly collude with a terror-friendly government, like that of Nigeria in abducting its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

IPOB, expressed disappointment with the Kenyan President for allegedly betraying its Mazi Kanu, saying it will hold him accountable for his action.

It also alleged that President Kenyatta and his government allegedly planned the abduction immediately it leader entered the country before contacting Nigerian on his presence in the country and subsequent smuggling into with the assistance of Nigerian security agents.

The Biafra agitating group also, urged the Biafrans and the public to disregard all the alleged fake stories and news concocted by Nigeria Government and their agents have been peddling about how and where Kanu was arrested, who may have lured him to Kenya, who was with him at the time of arrest, saying that he was rather abducted not arrested.

A statement by IPOB” Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, therefore, called on all Biafrans both home and in the Diaspora to boycott travels with Kenya Airlines; stop patronising any product made in Kenya; and to boycott any business dealings with Kenyans, following their country’s betrayal.

IPOB alleged that through their preliminary findings, President Uhuru Kenyatta was very instrumental to the abduction of our Kanu in Kenya, before his smuggling into Nigeria by security agents.

IPOB wondered why the Kenyatta will prefer to betray its leaders, wondering if it is because of Nigerian oil money or the N100million bounty placed on Kanu’s head by some people it described as Northern charlatans.

The IPOB’s statement read in part, “We the global movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, ably led by our great and indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, express our disappointment with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and his government over his role in the abduction of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his subsequent smuggling into Nigeria by the wicked Nigeria security agents.

“We are still at shock why a President like Uhuru Kenyatta would stoop so low to collude with a terror-friendly government like Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari to abduct and dehumanise our Leader for doing nothing other than demanding the freedom of Biafrans from the Nigeria bondage.

“Based on our preliminary findings, President Uhuru Kenyatta was very instrumental to the abduction of our Leader in Kenya. The treacherous action of Uhuru Kenyatta against Nnamdi Kanu and Biafrans at large is a clear violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention, and United Nations Code.

“We still don’t understand why Uhuru Kenyatta and some corrupt officials of his government would prefer to betray Nnamdi Kanu and Biafrans? Is it because of Nigeria oil money? Is it because of the paltry N100million bounty placed on Kanu’s head by some Northern charlatans?  Why will President Uhuru Kenyatta sell our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to the evil hands of Nigerian government?”

IPOB described as so shameful that Uhuru Kenyatta would belittle himself in a manner he has just done, adding that “By this wickedness and grievous sin, Uhuru Kenyatta has demonstrated his affection for the murderous Fulani terrorists ravaging the entire Nigeria killing and maiming indigenous people in their ancestral lands.”

“Uhuru Kenyatta and his partners in crime should get ready to meet us at the International Criminal Court, ICC. This act of terror against our leader, Nnamdi Kanu, a NATO citizen, British citizen with British International Passport and member of other international organizations will not go unpunished.

“As we continue with our investigations into this crime with a view to unmasking all the collaborators, we announce the following interim actions until further notice.

“We call on all Biafrans both home and in the Diaspora to boycott travels with Kenya Air Lines; to immediately stop patronising any product made in Kenya; and to boycott any business dealings with Kenyans. We cannot be relating friendly with anyone collaborating with our oppressors to keep us in perpetual slavery!

“We also want to urge all Biafrans and members of the public to disregard all the concocted rubbish the wicked Nigeria Government and their agents have been peddling about how and where our leader was arrested.

“He was never arrested but abducted. All these cock and bull story is to twist facts and blackmail our selfless leader who they have seen as the major obstacle against their agenda to completely Islamise and Fulani Nigeria.

“Nobody should believe these lies. They are only intended to de-market our Leader and puncture his global reputation and teeming follower ship.

“The global family of IPOB reaffirm our unalloyed loyalty, belief and confidence in our leader Nnamdi Kanu. Biafrans are united behind him in his current ordeals in the hands of our oppressors. We also wish to remind the Nigeria Government that nothing should happen to our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has condemned the re-arrest of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi kanu, by the Nigerian government.

The Biafra agitators, who described Kanu’s arrest as inconsequential and insensitive, declared the development will not affect the Biafra struggle.

The organization stressed that no amount of President Muhammadu Buhari’s intimidating ‘Fulanistic military operations against the agitators of Biafra and Oduduwa Republics will deter or shake the concluded resolutions for independence of Biafra and Oduduwa Republics.’

”Fulanistic President Muhammadu Buhari led Nigeria government is confusedly blind and clueless. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and activities of pro Biafra agitators do not pose any danger to Nigeria existence, the problem that poses a dangerous extinction to Nigeria existence is Fulani domination of Nigeria state over the general interest of other ethnic nationalities,” the group said.

A statement by the leader, Uchenna Madu, said Kanu has proven to be a loved figurehead in championing the self-determination struggle for the actualization and restoration of Biafra.

”As freedom can never be achieved on a platter of gold, the Biafra revolutionary struggle for actualization and restoration can never be deterred or fluctuated because of Nnamdi kanu’s current ordeals in the hands of our oppressive enemy,” it said.

”Nigeria state will soon regret arresting him because he will become a thorn in their flesh. We shall never relent or be discomforted because of Buhari and his Fulanistic sponsored genocidal operations in Biafra land which MASSOB always see as a sign of jittery and frustration of Fulani people.”

The organization maintained that Biafra agitating groups are not the problem.

”Biafra agitation is only a reaction to the many injustices, exclusion, second class citizenship, born to rule philosophy, marginalization and other forms of inequality that characterise the Nigerian state.

”Nigeria is a state where some are first class citizens while others are second class; a state where some are born to rule while others are perpetual outcasts, a state where state policy deliberately denies us critical developmental infrastructure while according others same. A state where prejudice, tribalism, exclusion and hate are elevated while nation-building is ignored, a state where it seems the only logic for unity is to share oil resources and not on the basis of consent, mutual respect, fraternity and shared brotherhood,” it said.

MASSOB warned the Nigeria government to be extremely careful with Kanu, adding that they must accord him a fair and unbiased court hearing.

”The people of Biafra will never keep quiet over Nnamdi Kanu. MASSOB also condemned the military invasion and attack on Sunday Igboho’s residence which led to the killings of many. MASSOB supports and will continue to identify with Oduduwa Republic agitation,” it added.

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Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

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Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.

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1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

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As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has  put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.

John Bibor

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Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

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As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.

The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.

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