[Igboist Humanitarian Services]
VIA (www.facebook.com/groups/igboist)
Ewo!!! The damage the Fulani Herdsmen are doing on our people is unimaginable. The mayhem, the wanton killing, the gratuitous violence, visited on a people in their land is unheard of, abominable and calamitous. Igboist, a group I direct, contributed money to buy whatever we can for those that survived the attacks in Uzo Uwani in Enugu. Yesterday, we met at Shoprite, and right there we bought all the goodies we can get and loaded in a bus and headed to a hospital in Usukka, when we got there, only one patient from the attack was still there, some has died and the rest were taken to Orthopedic hospital in Enugu. We attended to the only patient left there, gave his his goodies, succor, consoled him, took his contacts so we can still get him more hep, we now headed back to the hospital in Enugu were the rest were transferred to. When we got there, see mayhem, see human suffering. Those in the ward we were directed to were not just herdsman victims from Uzo Uwani alone but herdsman victims from other parts of Enugu state. Madness. Madness that anyone can encroach into an Igbo land and inflict woe of the highest proportion on us. We now ended up catering to everyone in the ward.
See, if this were the civilized world, you would see so many charity organizations falling on top of each other to help the victims, financially and otherwise, but here nothing, you are on your own. But thank goodness that we were able to do what we can yesterday. And the victims, the ones that were conscious, were so happy despite their pain, they felt, people cared. The unconscious ones just looked on, as we consoled them and dropped off their goodies.
I appeal to state governments to please not abandon victims of this herdsmen mayhem to fend for themselves. Please, visit them in hospitals and take care of their hospital bills, they cannot be put through this for no fault of their own and then be saddled with how pay their hospital bills or to get themselves out of the hospital.
NGOs: Oruola na omume, please, you are needed here, go and see these people and do something for them.
Anyone who is able to do something for these people should please do so. Go and visit them, and see what you can do to make life easier for them..
Dear Igbo men, Dear Igbo men in leadership positions, Dear Igbo men in Government, Dear capable Igbo men, Please, this shame is too much. Clean it off our faces, we cannot have anyone walk into our land and, harm us, ravage us, and kill us. No it is not acceptable. Do something please and do it fast.
Thank you: On behalf of Igboist, I profusely thank all those who donated towards this family event. It is not easy considering the hardship we are all facing. Thanks for putting your money where your mouth is.
A special thank you to Igboist members that came along for the journey. An extra special thank you to Igboist manager per excellence, Mmasinachi Njideka Emoka, who took charge of this project and delivered gallantly, as usual.
Dear Igboland, help is coming your way, you will be whole again. Be patient, your children will soon cleanse you of this calamity.

Yours Sincerely,
Maria Ude Nwachi (Afikpo Chic).
#BCEL – Best Chic Ever Liveth (Mama Igboist)
Member – Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

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The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah has strongly condemned the massacre of scores of people at Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by Fulani herdsmen on Monday.

Bishop Onah, who addressed newsmen at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral in Nsukka, Friday, said that the diocese was worried over the senseless killing of “innocent, unarmed and defenceless citizen of Nimbo.”

He said that the Nimbo massacre was analogous to the scenes of the 1966 civil war where people were forced to flee their homes in search of solace and peace, adding that the current crisis was different particularly as people were not only chased away from their homes, but also from their farms, churches, schools and village markets.

The Bishop further said: “The most painful aspect of the Nimbo massacre is that it was announced, expected and executed without inhibition – in broad daylight. The state government is reported to have made attempts to provide security in the area prior to the incident.

“But what those who lost their dear ones and all of us want to know is why, as the reports go, the security forces ‘tactically’ withdrew shortly before the attack and why when they later returned to the scene, there was no attempt to immediately pursue and arrest the perpetrators.

“At present, nobody can say with certainty the number of those killed, given that more of those who were badly wounded are still dying and some bodies are still being recovered from the bush where the people had been killed while taking refuge.”

He said that it was disturbing to note that only Christian religious houses were attacked.

Bishop Onah reiterated that Nsukka people were peace-loving people and called on them to remain law abiding without resorting to any unlawful protestations.

He, however, said that unnerving questions arising from the tragedy needed to be addressed.

In that light, the bishop posed some questions: “How are we supposed to react to these threats to our very survival as a people when the federal government, who controls the security agencies, seems unwilling to protect us and the state government appears incapable of defending us, since it has no control over these agencies?

“Our young people are asking us why the police and the armed forces of the federal government are so swift and sometimes so high-handed in their reaction when unarmed persons march the streets in protest in the South East and so heavy-footed when it comes to stopping the massacre of the south easterners anywhere in the country, even in their homes.”

While the Diocese appreciates the stance of President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue, only concrete actions can lead to the return of normalcy in the community, the bishop said.

He also urged the federal government to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the massacre and disarm all those who carry assault rifles publicly.

He equally thanked Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Senator Chuka Utazi for their concerted efforts so far, saying that the state must use all the tools at its disposal to avert the recurrence of such tragedy.

As much as the diocese thanks the Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase for visiting the community, the bishop said it should bother the IG that some herdsmen possess better arms than policemen.

The Bishop announced that masses and prayers would be offered for the victims throughout the Diocese next Sunday

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s election victory in the opinion and expectation of majority of Nigerians and African was seen as an opportunity for a total transformation of Africa’s sleeping giant, but the events in the last 10 months have shown otherwise.

According to a study by Nigerian Governance Watch, a United Kingdom (UK) based Nigerian Professionals group, revealed that President Buhari is beret of idea to manage, have no focus, unstable and extremely incompetent in every sphere to shape the affairs of any Nigeria.

The group come short of blaming the President, but Nigerians who knew the antecedent of Muhammadu Buhari while in office in 1984 to 1985 and blindly went for a man who have not created anything, but only destroys the gains of his predecessors through his thoughtless policies and zero understanding of the workings in a public sector.

As a military leader, Buhari killed the Naira, killed the Economy, destroyed our relationship with the rest of the world, polarized the country on tribe and religion, impoverished Nigerians to the extent that Nigerians were queuing up for essential commodities like Milk, Rice and Bread.

On Buhari’s return in May 2015, he has within this short period, turned Africa’s biggest and fastest growing economy to a shrinking one. Crashing the GDP from about 7.0% to 2.4%, Inflation jumping to 11.6% from 9%, over 2 million Nigerians losing their jobs, FDI dropped by over 85%, Maternal and Infant mortality is at all time high as result of poverty, malnutrition and diseases.

In a dwindling revenue, Buhari did the unheard of, instead of reducing the budget, he increased the budget from N4.3trn to N6.07trn. He presented the most fraudulent, inflated and irredeemably padded budget.

The Nigerian Governance Watch stated that they were not surprised, as President Buhari they described as a “very serious” leader, in a recession period did not deem it fit to appoint a single Economist among the 36 names in his cabinet.

They frowned at the president’s inability to set up an economic Team after 10 months in office and only resorting to intuition, thumb rules and application of Adam and Eve economies in this 21st century.

On the political front, the condemned President’s deliberate interventions in the electoral process and his use of security agencies to intimidate the opposition and the assassination and killing of people of diverse opinion.

The UK based group, according to Hope For Nigeria is worried that President Buhari who benefited in one of the best organised elections in Africa just few months ago have been unable to successfully organise any election in the country.

His determination to ensure that his party members and cronies win all the elections has lead numerous killings, kidnapping and in most cases annulling results or declaring them inconclusive where his party is losing hopefully, like the case of Rivers state re-run election.

In conclusion, according to Hope For Nigeria, the group advised President Buhari to swallow his pride and recall some of the experts from previous governments that meticulously guided the Nigerian economy to be the largest in the continent. They added that It is not about Buhari as the leader, but the paramount thing is the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

▪Hope For Nigeria

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cancelled the bye-election for Minjibir local government House of Assembly in Kano state because of violence.

Addressing reporters on Saturday in Minjibir town, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Abdullahi Mohammed Kaugama, said that the cancellation was due to ballot boxes that were snatched, along with other election materials.

He said the commission found it necessary to take the decision following violence that characterised the election in the town.

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The Federal Government has re-assured Nigerians that the 2016 budget is expected to go into full operations in the next few days.

This assurance was given by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was a guest speaker at the 12th edition of ‘The Platform’, an annual national discourse put together by Covenant Christian Centre, at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

He said: “We expect that the budget will go into operation in the next few days.

“This year, isn’t it so interesting that we are all paying attention and we know what exactly is going on?” he asked.

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Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has charged participants of Senior Executive course 38, Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) 2016, to proffer policy direction for the country’s ailing economy.

Chief Wike stated this when he hosted a curtail party in honour of the course participants who were in the State to carry out research on the indices of poverty level.

Governor Wike, represented by his Deputy Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo expressed the hope that the interactions of course participants with the people would aid them to write reports that would help the Federal Government formulate policy on poverty reduction and socio-economic growth.

He noted that their visit to the various communities in the course of their assignment has proven that Rivers State is safe and hospitable as against the misleading media reports of insecurity in the State.

The Governor thanked the participants for the choice of Rivers State, adding that the healthy interactions with the people would leave lasting memories on them long after the course.

Paul Damgbor

Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor

Saturday, April 30, 2016.

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Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, has said that governors were finding it difficult to run their states at the current financial inflows in the country.

Ambode, who spoke with State House Correspondents in Abuja said he was at Presidential Villa to thank President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of Lagos State and the people of the state on the outcome of his visit to China.

He maintained that the cash crunch that hit the country had made it imperative for state governors to devise means of survival which include their demand for moratorium on the payment of their debts.

Asked for his comments on the demand by states for moratorium on their debt, Ambode said: “There is nothing wrong in asking for moratorium. Lagos State has just restructured its bond programme. It is about financial intelligence.

“The states are not saying they are not going to pay back. We are saying that based on the present circumstances, we can hold down principal payments and just take interest.

“Maybe for a while, let us also ask for moratorium to be able to pay principal at a future date. The issue is that you cannot operate a state in the manner in which the financial inflows are coming now. It is very difficult. We have to be realistic.

“It is like any other organisation. If the inflows are not up to what the fixed costs are like, you have to do something drastic and that is what we are all doing.

“I am an accountant first before being a politician. You need to see the numbers. The numbers do not tally.

“It has nothing to do with the status you are finding yourself now. It is about the past record, it is about the present status and it is about taking drastic decisions to be able to allow the state’s to stay afloat

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▪Benue Deputy Governor

Benue state acting governor, Engr. Benson Abounu has described as “totally misleading, inciting and uncalled-for”/the report published in The Nation newspaper of today and in some on–line publications of Northern Governors defending the killings of farmers in several parts of the country by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Engr. Abounu who spoke on saturday at the Benue state Governor’s lodge, Abuja said at no point did the governors defend the killings or the killers, adding that. the Forum condemned in the strongest terms the actions of these terror groups operating as herdsmen.
“The Northern governors unequivocally condemned the killings by the herdsmen. At no time did we defend the killings or the killers”
He said that it is unfortunate that the statement by the chairman of the Forum that wrongs should not be generalized and a people harshly criminalised is been wrongly interpreted as defending the Fulani people.
“We never defended the Fulani or any group that involved itself in criminality”, he said, adding that what the chairman said was that it is wrong to generalize criminality.
Engr. Abounu who stated that the Northern governors are truly disturbed by the killings and have therefore resolved to visit Benue and Enugu states in sympathy with the people over the killings in these two states called on Nigerians from all walks of life to strive to ive peacefully with one another regardless of ethnic or religious differences.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday held its ward congress in different Nigerian states, with wards executives emerging in what has been described as a free and fair contest.

The election was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to some PDP stalwarts, the peaceful conduct of the exercise across the states was a signal that the party was rebranding itself, with a conscious effort to avoid the mistakes of the past.

They said the opposition party that held Nigeria’s presidency for 16 years was working harmoniously within to ensure that all the members were carried along.

The electoral officers at Ibere Ward Two and Oboro Ward one in Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia State concluded the exercise by announcing the names of the wards executive and their emergence were unanimously agreed to by the people.

In Rivers State the ward congress was held at the over 300 wards in the state.

Members were seen in some wards in the Port Harcourt City Council queuing up and participating in the exercise.

The returning officer of the local government area, Samuel Nwanosike, told Channels Television that the exercise was peaceful and successful.

However, in Osogbo, Osun State, crisis broke out at the PDP’s secretariat, as supporters of one of the aspirants vying for the position of the state chairman stormed the office calling for “no congress”.

In spite of the heavy presence of security operatives, the supporters in large ‎number chanted songs of solidarity, insisting that the congress must not hold in all the wards.

Addressing the party faithful, one of the aspirants, Dr Bayo faforiji, alleged that the State Party Chairman was hoarding the forms required to conduct the ward congress on grounds that his faction had not met the pre-requisites put in place by the national body.

He said over 7,000 of his supporters would be denied the rights to exercise their civic duties, as such the congress should be seen as null and void.

In his reaction, the other aspirant, Mr Soji Adagunodo, told reporters that ‎the congress would hold, alleging that the Faforiji faction did not meet the conditions required to be eligible for the ward congress.

Also commenting on the issue, the Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr Bola Ajao, stated that the Faforiji faction was yet to ‎meet the party’s prerequisite

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The Niger State government has debunked rumours making the round that it is among Nigerian states that are owing workers’ salaries.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor of Niger, Jibrin Baba Ndace, said in a press statement on Friday that the rumour making round in the public and published in some section of the media classifying Niger State as one of the states owing workers’ salaries is not true.

He stated that the state is not only up to date in its obligations to workers, it has also ensured that salaries are paid regularly since the assumption of office of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

“To set the record straight, on assumption of office on the 29th of May 2015, Governor Bello placed priority attention to the welfare of the entire work force in the state by placing payment of workers’ salaries on the first line charge and by ensuring prompt and regular payment to the civil servants.

“It is on record that despite the lean purse of the state and the dwindling national economy, Niger State Government has not defaulted in her statutory responsibility to its workers.

“Governor Bello has been alive to his responsibilities and is religiously and compassionately keeping his part of the social contract he entered to with the people of the state.”

The CPS further claimed that no administration in the 40-year-old state has enjoyed the high level of industrial harmony, peace and cordiality like that of Governor Bello.

He assured the civil servants that regular and prompt payment of workers’ salaries will continue to be on first line charge, as the state government is committed to ensuring a civil service that is well-motivated for the challenges of the 21st Century

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FEAR gripped relatives and Catholic Church faithful, Otukpo Diocese, over the non-release of the Vicar General of the church, Rev. Fr. John Adenyi barely a week after he was abducted.

The priest was kidnapped along Otukpa-Enugu road last Sunday and demanded N10 million ransom for his release.

Sunday Tribune gathered that upon the demand of N10 million ransom, negotiation was said to have taken place between the relatives and the abductors in which the parties agreed to N2 million ransom.

The sum was raised and paid last Wednesday with the promise by the abductors to release their victim latest Wednesday night.

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Biafran separatist group, the Indigenous People of Bi­afra (IPOB) has said that the current mindless killings and unprovoked attacks on South East­ern communities by Fulani herds­men were long predicted by its de­tained leader, and Director of Biafra Radio, Nnamdi Kanu. Nnamdi kanu IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a press statement yesterday, said although Kanu had warned against the grave implications of Muham­madu Bunari’s presidency, many people did not take him seriously. The pro-Biafra group strongly condemned the bloodbath at Uzo-Uwani by Fulani herdsmen who killed over 40 persons there, saying this was part of the reasons the agi­tation for Biafra was renewed. The statement read: “As they campaign vigorously for elec­tions, you would think, they are coming to grow the economy, en­throne justice, breed unity and tol­erance, love for one another. “No, they are coming to enthrone Hausa/Fulani supremacy, to reposi­tion the security agencies by sacking all competent hands and replace them with their kinsmen in order to drive their ethnic domination of the south. The Fulani herdsmen will be armed and encouraged to slaughter us with impurity and their masters will protect them. “They are coming to ensure that my people are enslaved forever. Those who do not believe me will soon see it happen before their eyes. “The Fulani will take over the en­tire south as a continuation of their age-long agenda to Islamize Eastern Nigeria. They will brazenly seize our land in pretence of creating grazing fields for the Fulani. Then the con­quest will be complete, we will be­come their serfs forever.” The statement further quoted Kanu as saying before the 2015 elec­tions that: “Between Jonathan and Buhari, none is good for us. Free­dom remains our only option, Jona­than is weak and confused, Buhari is a tyrant, who will destroy the land with his parochial view point. “His kinsmen will take over the military and the security architec­ture of the land. Christians and Easterners will become endangered species; He will use the security ap­paratus to advance the agenda of his ethnic group. My people will suffer”. According to IPOB, Kanu had also predicated that a group dead­lier than Boko Haram would be un­leashed to the South to destabilise Eastern people and economy. “Then a group deadlier than Boko Haram will emerge, they will seize our farmland, rape our wom­en, kill our people and their master will protect, defend and even arm them, because their sole agenda is to enslave us forever. “Those who cannot see it now, will soon see it. The hatred in their souls for my people is legendary. They do not see us as humans. They kill, they slaughter, they burn and they destroy. Mindless bloodletting is in their DNA. My people are in trouble”, Kanu was quoted as having said then. “We can only add that he forgot to inform the world before his un­just arrest and detention, that the DSS would falsely accuse us of kill­ing 5 Fulani who they vehemently refused to take newsmen to the graves to confirm the veracity of the claims if any”, Powerful added. IPOB, however, said it would not retaliate the unwarranted attacks on South Eastern communities by Fulani herdsmen, insisting that no amount of temptation will make it compromise its non-violent stance in the struggles for independence.

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The Yobe State government has visited Kanamma town, the birth place of the terrorists group, Boko Haram, to distribute food and non-food items to returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The IDPs had returned after taking refuge in neighbouring Niger Republic for almost two years.

Kanamma town is located in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State in northeast Nigeria, sharing boundary with the Republic of Niger and have suffered several attacks from the dreaded sect group.

Presenting the relief materials to the returning IDPs, the team leader of the resettlement committee Dawa Maigari said Governor Ibrahim Gaidam would, apart from providing food and non-food items to the returnees, would work out ways to rebuild the destroyed structures.

The member representing Yunusari Constituency in the State Assembly, Honourable Ahmed Dombol while speaking at the ceremony called on governments and spirited individuals to assist the people reconstruct their destroyed structures so that they could continue with their means of livelihood.

On his part, the leader of the distribution committee who is also the State Commissioner for Local Government, Dawa Maigari, presented the materials to the affected communities

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The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has told the Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF) that the group would not appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna State Government to investigate the December clash with the military in Zaria until their leader, Sheik Ibrahim Zakzaky is released.

The NSGF had in a communiqué issued at its meeting on Friday, called on IMN cooperate with the Judicial Commission of Inquiry but the Shiite Islamic sect in statement signed by the President Media Forum, Mr. Ibrahim Musa, gave a pre-condition for such cooperation.

“We appreciate the Governors’ call, at least it is an acknowledgement on their part that something unfortunate in the history of the North happened in Zaria that if not handled fairly and justly could have long-term consequences for the region and the country in general,” Musa stated.
However, he said, IMN made their points for staying away from the commission very clear and would like to remind the Governors and the general public.

According to him, none of the reasons have been given consideration or addressed by any of the relevant authorities or even by the NSGF or all those clamouring for the group’s appearance before the commission.

Foremost among the reasons, he noted, “is the continued incarceration of the leader of the Islamic Movement, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, who we all know was attacked in his own house towards midnight in what the Army termed ‘cordon and search’ operation without any justification.

He said: “The crux of the matter is that there is simply no rational basis for the soldier’s attack in his residence in the first place. In effect justice demands that Sheikh Zakzaky is supposed to be a free man so that he can give his own input to the Commission on his own volition.

“As things stands now, those who are accused of killing at least 1,000 people including women and children are roaming about freely, despite admission that they buried at least 347 of those in a night burial in a mass grave in an attempt to hide their crime.”

On the other hand, Musa stated, Sheikh Zakzaky and hundreds of his followers who are victims of the brutal military attack are behind bars, with some standing trial for alleged culpable homicide.
According to him, this smacks of gross injustice and bias on the part of the government that sets up the Commission, adding that “IMN firmly believes that for justice to be seen to be done, Sheikh Zakzaky should be promptly set free unconditionally.”

The statement further read: “What we had expected the NSGF to have dwelt up is not our absence from the proceedings of the Commission but the disturbing facts emanating from the confessions of the Kaduna state government in the mass burial of 347 people and the denial of such a war crime by the soldiers involved. The Army admitted before the panel that it handed ‘few corpses’ for the mass burial. Our records shows that close to 400 others remain unaccounted for.

“Thus the NSGF ought to be sufficiently disturbed that a ‘few’ of their citizens were secretly buried in mass grave by one of their members and even more disturbing is the majority of the victims are yet to be accounted for. Did they task Governor Nasir el-Rufai to explain?

“The Islamic Movement sincerely believes it is not too late for the NSGF to demand for the immediate release of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and other members of IMN in detention. It is only when victims of the military attack in Zaria are savouring their freedom just like their attackers that justice might be expected from any judicial commission of inquiry

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By Jude Ndukwe

Still in a mourning mood over the mindless massacre at Enugu by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the nation’s heavy heart was further daggered by what can best be described as the petulance of an arrogant set of governors from the northern part of the country who take pleasure in talking down on the other parts of the country and behave like a headmaster whose pupils must not have an opinion not to talk of expressing such without incurring his wrath.

Following the Ukpabi Nimbo incident in Enugu State, there was a general outpour of rage by all well-meaning Nigerians who thought, and rightly so too, that the president, Muhammadu Buhari, has not done enough to rein in the Fulani herdsmen despite their repeated reign of terror across the middle belt and southern parts of the country. Nigerians had thought the Agatu attack was the height of the continued attack by the herdsmen; they had thought the president would say something to, at least, placate the grieving community, but no word came from him. The worst was that those responsible for the heinous crime had a meeting with Nigeria’s chief police officer where they confessed to their crime, yet, were let go, strangely.

Also, Nigerians could not understand why Buhari gave marching orders to service chiefs to deal with pipeline vandals in the south southern part of the country but gave no such stern orders against the Fulani herdsmen until the public outrage that followed the Enugu massacre. Rightly or wrongly, a lot of Nigerians think that the Fulani herdsmen are enjoying tacit support from the powers that be to carry on their dastardly acts unchecked. This thought stems from Buhari’s actions and statements in the past where he had expressed and actually acted in support of the Fulani herdsmen who are also his kinsmen.

For example in October 2000, President Buhari had travelled all the way from Katsina State leading a delegation of 5 men to the then governor of Oyo State, Lam Adeshina, to strongly protest the reprisal attack carried out on Fulani herdsmen by the Saki people of the state after the herdsmen had repeatedly attacked people of the area. The presence of Buhari and his delegation was said to have raised palpable tension in the state that they even refused to acknowledge pleasantries from government officials and left in anger without taking the refreshments served them by the governor. This was understandable as the governor, Lam Adeshina, was said to have properly addressed them and put them in their rightful place by warning them to stop parading around causing disunity where there was none!

With this in mind, Nigerians might not be wrong to have accused the president of not acting timeously against the herdsmen because of some ethnic and religious affinity he shares with them.

So, when the 19 northern state governors issued a statement after their meeting berating Nigerians for blaming Buhari and the Fulani herdsmen for the atrocities, it came to many as a shock. The question is, who else do these governors want Nigerians to blame? Buhari is the Commander-in-Chief; he swore to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. When he fails to do this repeatedly, the citizens would have no one else to blame but him especially when his long silence had given rise to suspicions of an ethnic agenda against the south.

It is quite hypocritical that these same governors had found it expedient to blame former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the Chibok crisis because he was the Commander-in-Chief but would not want Nigerians to blame Buhari for similar crises.

Apart from this, they went ahead to warn Nigerians not to classify the perpetrators of this evil act as Fulani as if the perpetrators were Yoruba or Igbo or Tiv. The fact is that these are herdsmen of Fulani extraction; their attack is ethnic in nature and their aim is to occupy conquered territories, subjugate host communities and install an emirate just like they once did at Ilorin. And we must call a spade by its name. The situation is so dire that there is no room for window dressing. If the northern governors do not like the fact that Buhari is being rightly blamed for the nearly irredeemable security lapses currently ravaging our country, they should prod him to do more and advise their atrocious kinsmen who are bringing bad publicity to their region to behave or be dealt with.

The era of browbeating other sections of the country into submission is over! There is a new reality on ground now. There is a new generation of stubborn Nigerians who are ready to fight to keep the sanctity of their people’s God-given dignity than allow any person or group of persons to rob them of their humanity. There is a new generation of southerners and middle belters who are more united now more than ever to challenge the looming pogrom planned by a common enemy but still being implemented by installments as a way of test-running the main agenda.

There is a new generation of Igbo who do not care anymore about the defeat their fathers suffered in the civil war, and are ready to defend their lives and property if called out again. If the government of Buhari will not protect them, they are prepared to stand the enemy face to face and eyeball to eyeball all by themselves. The consequences of allowing this crisis to degenerate to a free for all fight will be too much for both this government and the country to bear.

Lastly, and for the avoidance of doubt, the threats by the northern state governors are nothing but the wailing of a duck. If they do not have anything soothing to say to those who are grieving as a result of the terror unleashed on innocent citizens by their kinsmen, they should just keep quiet!

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France will nearly double the number of troops it has in Ivory Coast, the defense minister said on Saturday.

He was on a visit to the country during which he laid flowers at the site of an attack on tourists that killed 19 people.

Jean-Yves Le Drian placed a bouquet on the beach in Grand Bassam, a resort town 40 km (25 miles) from Abidjan, where gunmen shot swimmers and sunbathers before storming hotels last month, an attack claimed by Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Four French citizens were killed.

Le Drian said France, the former colonial power, would increase its contingent of troops in Ivory Coast to 900 from 550.

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The Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu, yesterday escaped bullets from suspected thugs who shot at his campaign entourage at Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Estako West local government area of Edo state

Odubu formally declared his intention last Wednesday at a press conference to contest the 2016 governorship election.

A policeman, an operative of the State Security Service and three civilians were said to have been injured during the attack.

He was scheduled to meet with party delegates from the area but met the gates of Secretariat under lock and key, a situation that was said to have angered some delegates who forced the gate open to enable the Deputy Governor meet with them outside the Secretariat.

Dr. Odubu was said to have left Fugar for Auchi and was meeting with delegates when thugs were said to have suddenly appeared, firing gunshots and destroying canopies.

“We ran for our dear lives. They injured a policeman, an SSS operative and three civilians and destroyed canopies”, a source close to venue said.

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The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command warns that all youth elections in the state are hereby suspended till further notice due to unfavourable prevailing security circumstances in the state.

2. Any person or group of persons who flouts this order will face the wrath of law. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

3. In the same vein, all law abiding citizens are enjoined through this medium to go about their lawful businesses as trouble makers shall be decisively dealt with.

4. The command remains indebted for your patience, understanding and cooperation, please.

Signed

ASP. Grace I. Koko,

POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FOR : COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,

RIVERS STATE COMMAND.

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Nigeria cannot be successful in the fight against corruption until it democratises data and breaks the wall of secrecy that surrounds public finance.

This was one of the strong messages at ‘The Platform Abuja 2016’ held on Saturday.

It is a global media event that focuses on facilitating growth in Nigeria through personal capacities and productivity.

Poor Data Culture

According to the Co-founder of BudgIT, Seun Onigbinde, Nigeria’s poor data culture had made diversification of the economy an uphill task.

He stressed the need for a data revolution, pointing out that corruption would remain unless data were made available and accessible.

Resource persons at the event, one of whom was the Chief Executive Officer of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, also harped on tapping overlooked resources to shift the nation’s economy away from reliance on crude oil revenue.

Over three thousand persons attended The Platform Abuja 2016

While some spoke on agriculture which they emphasised could be a perfect option to oil if well explored others stressed the need to explore digital technology that could give Nigerians the number of employment government was unable to provide in the time frame Nigerians required them.

Alibaba stressed the need for rich Nigerians to invest in the entertainment industry

Arts and entertainment is another sector that a Nigerian Comedian, Alibaba, said could bring billions of foreign exchange to Nigeria through tourism.

For over five hours, they brainstormed to encourage more than 3,000 youths present, to finally rise up to the task of empowering themselves while waiting for government to do their bit.

It is not the first time that the fall in oil price would be tagged an advantage for Nigeria’s economy but an agro-business expert, the National Coordinator, Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Emmanuel Ijewere, asserted that a crop like cassava could give Nigeria biofuel, ethanol and oil, but expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that it had remained untapped because the nation depended so much on crude oil sales

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Inconclusive elections, increase of inflation, drop of GDP, lack of economic team, zero project since May, 2015, incrimination of perceived foes in the guise of fighting corruption. Under his watch, Nigeria has descended the ladder of economic assessment by dropping from number one (1st) position in Africa. He has also worked so hard to ensure that Nigeria loses her number three (3) globally. The killings by Fulani herdsmen has become a national issue lacking military incursion. Yes, number his watch, those that did not vote for him are second-class citizen. Is the North proud of the retrogression has replaced progress? And you, my reader, are you comfy with Buhari? Does his presence in Aso Rock not choke life out of you? Are you waiting for the eschatology to happen before you start contributing to his removal? Buhari has the lowest Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in the history of Nigeria’s presidents, both in civvies and in uniform. History has it that he is the real reason the Naira, our currency, fell in the 70s. History has it that Buhari so impoverished Nigerians in the 70s that we virtually queued up for essential commodities.

Ladies and gentlemen, that is the man you want to change things. Today, we are queuing up for fuel and other petroleum products, and no one, including the noisy Femi Falana, SAN, has summoned the gusto to speak up. I surmise change is change in Nigeria, it dehumanizing impact notwithstanding. Today, election results are still being withheld just because the opposition won in Rivers State re-run, and no one is talking, even when it is lucid that the electoral body is acting ultra vires. We have lawyers that have become cowards due to fear of the tyrant. What are the constituency representatives in the NASS doing? Can we impeach this man and save Nigeria further economic debacle? Buhari has become a cankerworm and sword of Damocles dangling on the neck of Nigeria. We either boot him out or become nonexistent in the comity of nations. I have to go to Church, where the pastors who prefer fashion to speaking up against the missing Chino Girls are, to pray. Yes, even the Men of God have become Men of the god of money and materialism. Our pastors have become extensions of capitalism in accordance with Karl Marx’s theory. How many of them held Crusades to place curses on Boko Haram? Oh, they are even afraid? No wonder they move with armed personnel. How does it sound? Our pastors need military escort! God no longer protects in Nigeria. Pastors fly first-class. Hmmm! No one has spoken up against the government of the day. God forbid!

Russell Bluejack

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