Connect with us

Nation

‘Nigerians Insisting On 1999 Constitution Pushing For Violent Disintegration’

Published

on

The Chairman of the socio-political group, the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination, Prof Banji Akintoye, says those insisting on going on with the 2023 general election with the 1999 Constitution will push Nigeria into “violent disintegration”, adding that other “ethnic nations trapped in the failed Lugardian Experiment of 1914 will do everything legitimate” to extricate themselves from the “Union of Death”.

Akintoye, who is also the worldwide leader of Yoruba Global Movement, Ilana Omo Oodua, stressed that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was an imposed document that can no longer work in addressing the security and economic concerns of all interests in the country.

He, therefore, said that it is wrong for the Federal Government and its agency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin preparation for the 2023 general election when the clamour for restructuring, resource control and federalism of Nigeria by most regions in the country was at its highest peak.

The member of the Senate during the Second Republic, stated this during a virtual press conference following the expiration of a 90-day constitutional force majeure the group issued to the Federal Government on December 16, 2020.

He said at the expiration of the 90-day notice period on March 16, 2021, no formal contact was made to the group by the Federal Government on the group’s demands.

Amongst others, the group had pronounced “an end to our toleration of Nigeria’s unitary constitutional order, unilaterally imposed and forcefully maintained by a section of the Nigerian country”.

Akintoye, therefore, said the group further gave the Federal Government a 30-day period which he described as “a fresh window of opportunity” for the government to “bring itself to the table of dialogue set up by the constituent components of Nigeria” mostly in the Southern and Middle-Belt parts of the country.

The Yoruba leader of thoughts said, “Being all agreed that no progress is possible for the Peoples of Nigeria under the 1999 unitary constitution, we cannot be proclaiming restructuring, resource control, rule of law, security, #EndSARS, end corruption, or even good governance and still be warming up to go to another round of general election in 2023 that will renew the life of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees unitarism, resource hijack, impunity, insecurity, SARS killings, corruption, and bad governance. We must now get honest with ourselves and turn off the tap from which these evils flow without further delay. The 1999 Constitution is that tap.

“In closing let it be clearly understood that in the face of the demise of the 1999 Constitution and the rapid progression towards self-help across Nigeria by people who find themselves under the invasion by murderous, heavily armed Fulani militia masquerading as herdsmen while the security agents look the other way, it is only a matter of time for the bloody altercations that are currently building up to explode into the violent disintegration of Nigeria with catastrophic consequences.

“Those who insist on governing Nigeria with the imposed, fraudulent and unworkable 1999 Constitution, as well as those who still aspire to contest further national elections under that Constitution, should know they are the ones pushing Nigeria towards a violent disintegration but the ethnic nations currently trapped in the failed Lugardian Experiment of 1914 will do everything legitimate under appropriate international instruments to extricate them from the union of death, attrition and backwardness that Nigeria has become for them. NINAS urge our various peoples across the alliance territories to remain calm and confident as measured steps are being taken towards ending our bondage.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NINAS proclamation of constitutional dispute on December 16, 2020, terminated the life of the fraudulent 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, and therefore, restored our sovereignty that was confiscated by that constitution.

“What we are doing today is to outline the processes and modality for the necessary and orderly transition to our full self-determination and sovereignty in the world; therefore, we hereby call on the peoples of our alliance territory to rise to the challenge of shaking off the shackles and manacles hitherto imposed on them by the defunct 1999 Constitution”, he added.

 

Continue Reading

Nation

Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Nation

1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Nation

Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending