Nation
Kanu: Britain Demands Explanation From Nigeria
.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.
Youths from five local government areas in Northern Cross River State have concluded a one-week warning protest and blockade of the dilapidated Ikom-Wula-Obudu federal highway over the weekend.
They have vowed to resume the road blocks if by this week the authorities do not intervene to fix the road.
More than five thousand locals, mostly youths from Obanliku, Etung, Obudu, Ikom and Boki LGAs trooped out everyday for one week, used palm trees to block the highway to draw state and federal government’s attention to their plights, requesting the repair of a road has has been unmotorable for about 40 years.
They warned that if they do not see any actions from the state or federal governments, they will resume their Plan B protest, stop revenue collections and make governance unpalatable.
The youths also warned that without interventions on the road which has claimed several lives, including that of last week when a pregnant woman died with her baby in the full glare of the protesters because of the terrible road, no election can hold in the area next year.
One of the leaders of the No Road , No Election protest, who is also the Abo Youths in Boki LGA, Dr Martins Assam said both the federal and state governments have neglected the region, which generates more than 70 percent state revenue from agriculture.
He said if machinery is not deployed by next week, they will not have any option than to embark on unpalatable and disastrous protest, and stop revenue collections in the area.
“Last week we had only a warning strike for one good week. We’ll embark on a more elaborate, disastrous one-month blockade of this highway until they intervene. We call on our Governor and representatives in the National Assembly to act now by impressing on the federal government to immediately fix this road else. We’re not asking for two much but to be treated as human beings.”
Another protester, Clinton Obi from the Etung axis said, “We’ve been neglected for 40 years. This Ikom-Obudu federal highway had been impassable. The government has removed its concentration from our plights. By this one week protest, we want action on this road otherwise the next phase of protest will be costly.”
Reverend Father Francis Amaozo, priest in charge of St. Nicholas parish in Nashua, Boki LGA said, “I have also been a victim of this very deplorable road. Enough is now enough. We’ve been betrayed by our representatives and other leaders, so that we in this axis have become endangered species on this road. I have lost some many members on this road.”
Member, representing the Boki-Ikom federal constituency of the state in the House of Representatives, Bisong Victor Abang had pleaded with the locals to be a bit more patient with the government as action will commence shortly.
Nation
UNIPORT VC Receives Inaugural Lecture Brochure As Professor Highlights Urgent Need For Drug Repurposing In Malaria Fight
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof Owunari Georgewill, last Thursday received the inaugural lecture brochure from the Inaugural Lecturer, Professor Udeme Georgewill, during a ceremony at the university’s Centre of Excellence attended by academics, researchers, students, and distinguished guests.
Delivering her lecture, Professor Udeme Georgewill described the occasion as the culmination of years of dedicated research, teaching, and service to humanity. He explained that his work as a pharmacologist has consistently focused on finding practical, affordable, and scientifically sound solutions to health challenges that disproportionately affect developing countries, particularly malaria, which remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing public health concerns.
She noted that Nigeria continues to bear one of the heaviest malaria burdens globally, accounting for a significant percentage of worldwide cases and deaths. The disease, largely caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite and transmitted through Anopheles mosquitoes, remains especially dangerous for children under five years and pregnant women, threatening not only present populations but unborn generations. Despite years of intervention efforts, malaria continues to strain families, health systems, and the national economy.
Prof Georgewill empha-sised that while Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies such as Artemether-Lumefantrine remain the gold standard for malaria treatment, emerging resistance patterns pose a serious challenge. He explained that drug resistance is a survival mechanism of the parasite, enabling it to adapt and reduce the effectiveness of medications designed to eliminate it. According to her, instances where patients do not feel better after initial treatment sometimes lead to repeated dosing or the search for injectable alternatives, practices that can worsen resistance and complicate treatment outcomes.
Against this backdrop, she advocated strongly for drug repurposing as a strategic and urgent response. Drug repurposing, he explained, involves identifying new therapeutic uses for already approved and widely available medications. He likened the concept to “old wine in new wineskins,” stressing that medicines already proven safe for certain conditions can be carefully re-evaluated and optimised for new roles in malaria management. This approach, she argued, offers advantages such as reduced research timelines, lower development costs, and faster clinical application compared to developing entirely new drugs from scratch.
She disclosed that her research had progressed from laboratory investigations to clinical evaluations, where his team is studying combinations involving Artemether-Lumefantrine and Ivermectin to determine their effectiveness in improving treatment outcomes and possibly reducing transmission. Clinical trials are ongoing, and findings will be communicated upon completion of regulatory processes. However, he cautioned strongly against self-medication, warning that misuse of drugs without proper diagnosis and prescription can lead to organ damage, treatment failure, and increased resistance.
Referencing global health commitments, Prof Georgewill highlighted Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, which seeks to end epidemics of malaria and other major infectious diseases by 2030. She questioned whether the goal remains attainable under current realities, especially with growing resistance and funding gaps. He also referred to strategies of the World Health Organisation aimed at drastically reducing malaria incidence and mortality while pushing toward elimination in several countries.
Looking ahead, she revealed that her team is building comprehensive research databases to support artificial intelligence-driven drug repurposing. He stressed that the integration of artificial intelligence, molecular docking, and advanced screening technologies is transforming global drug discovery, and Nigerian researchers must be equipped to participate competitively in this evolving scientific landscape.
In her recommendations, she called for the establishment of a National Centre for Drug Repurposing to coordinate research efforts and leverage artificial intelligence in identifying new indications for existing medicines. He urged policymakers to simplify and accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical application, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs benefit the public more efficiently. She also appealed to the university and relevant authorities to increase funding and modernise laboratory infrastructure, including high-throughput screening facilities, to strengthen Nigeria’s position in global biomedical research.
The lecture concluded with expressions of gratitude to God, the university leadership, colleagues, students, and guests, as the event underscored the University of Port Harcourt’s commitment to research excellence and its role in addressing critical public health challenges facing Nigeria and the wider world.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State Chapter, has rejected the proposed Niger State Hisbah Directorates Bill, describing it as controversial and capable of deepening religious division in the state.
In a statement signed by the State Chairman, Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, and made available to The Tide’s source yesterday, the association urged Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago not to assent to the bill if it is passed by the State House of Assembly.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Chanchaga Constituency, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar, seeks to establish a Hisbah Directorate in Niger State.
CAN warned that the legislation could be perceived as discriminatory against Christians and may heighten tension in the religiously diverse state.
“Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, we, the entire Christendom in the state, wish to draw your attention to what could easily create division among the people you govern,” the statement read in part.
The association questioned the necessity and benefits of the proposed law, asking what economic or social value it would add to the state.
It further argued that existing security agencies, including the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, already have constitutional mandates to maintain law and order.
The Christian body also faulted the legislative process, disputing claims that it was consulted during a public hearing on the bill.
It insisted that it was neither invited nor notified of any such engagement, despite being a critical stakeholder in the state.
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