May-May Nwa' Africa

By Mazi Onyebuchi Eze
For Family Writers PressLift up your heads O ye powers in the High places of the earth!
Lift up your heads O ye nations of the earth!
Lift up your heads O ye western world allies that want Africa in perpetual slavery!
Lift up your heads O ye Kingdoms of the earth because the ancient nation of BIAFRA is HERE! Hallelluyah! Halleluyah!! Halleluyah!!!
This is a revelation given to me EARLY this morning which came from the ancient throne which is sitted upon by the ETERNAL ONE who is the Almighty Chukwu Okike Abiama in heavens. It is very clear with an information that the restoration of BIAFRA through a UN-monitored REFERENDUM is already around the CORNER. The big questions now are as follows:
1. How ready are you should Nigeria government announce Biafra referendum to take place on September 1, 2017?
2. Have Biafran referendum Campaign reached your village, your town and your state or are you just satisfied with what is happening in City where you reside?
3. Have Biafrans around your yard, at your neighborhood, your work place, your school and your church known that Biafra referendum is few days away from today?
4. Should Nigeria government shock IPOB due to their already frustration on vehement demand for Biafra referendum and announce any shortest date as the day of Biafra referendum, do you think it will be reasonable for IPOB to say our people are not yet ready for the referendum?
If your answers to these questions are "NO", don't you think that it is time for IPOB members and other Biafra enthusiast to begin to take Biafra referendum campaign to all nook and crannies of Biafra land? I do not always blame Nigerian mischievous media men, politicians and even commoners who always misconstrue Biafra as only Igbo people's project and Biafra land as only limited to Igbo speaking areas of South East.

 

It is time for IPOB and Biafrans at large to as a matter of urgency take Biafra referendum jingles, symposium, workshops, seminars and town hall meetings to places beyond Igweocha (PH) city, Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, Asaba and Owerri. Let Biafra land Cordinator of IPOB organize Biafra referendum campaign in Warri, Sapele, Bonny, Bakassi peninsula, Oron, Calabar, Uyo and place the United Nations on notice that Biafra agitation is not limited to Igbo people of South East alone but also desired by people of South South as well. Let IPOB Directorate of State give order that IPOB Biafran referendum campaign billboards, posters, flexes be placed in the strategic places in every village of Biafra land. Even if Nigeria government agents remove these billboards or posters at where they are placed, let them be replaced as field evangelism should be intensified as well. Biafra media warriors and media outlets are doing great although there still is room for improvement.
Mischievous Nigerians who always described Biafra restoration project as only Igbo project seems to be vindicated as we only see Biafra jingles and programmes concentrated in Igweocha, Aba, Onitsha, Enugu and Asaba. More importantly, we need serious sensitization in the interior villages of South South for the Biafra referendum because it is easy for the political predators such as Rotimi Amaechi, Nyesom Wike, Timipreye Sylva and many others to use peanut change to decieve the traditional rulers of Niger Delta who will in-turn influence the gullible people against Biafra referendum. So, I am seeing handwriting on the wall that Nigeria government has started planning on how to conduct a referendum that will fail like Scottish referendum failed. Have we asked ourselves what Tony Blair come to do in Kaduna few days ago? British government has brought to Nigeria government the template of how they succeeded in making sure that Scotland referendum collapsed against Scotland.
However, we do not need to fear about the antics of Britain with the collapsing house of the feudal lords of the Sahara called Nigeria, because Nigeria government has no intellectual heavyweights who can be able to play the game against Biafra as Britain did against Scotland. What Biafrans need to do is to put every hands on deck, reach every village in Biafra land with Biafra referendum campaign rallies, jingles, sympossia, town hall meetings and all the activities targeted at Biafra referendum because no village in Biafra is less important or insignificant in during Biafra referendum. As important as Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Asaba and Aba cities are, so are the Brass, Nembe, Otuoke in Bayelsa; so are Okrika, Bonny, Nkoro in Rivers; so are Bakassi, Ikom, Eket in Cross River and so are all the interior villages in any part of Biafraland. Ask youself "Will Biafra referendum succeed in these interior places in Niger Delta mentioned above"? If you think there is doubt about them, what do we do? Keep the answer to youself. I rest my case!

Wayne Rooney is set to make his second Everton debut as the Toffees tackle Gor Mahia in Tanzania.

The England legend, Rooney returned to his boyhood club earlier this week after 13 years away at Manchester United.

Boss Ronald Koeman has promised to give every player in his travelling party 45 minutes of action.

That will also mean seeing Davy Klaassen, Michael Keane, Jordan Pickford and Sandro Ramirez in a blue shirt for the first time.

Opponents Gor Mahia are Kenya's most successful side with the stadium ready to see 60,000 fans watching.

See the line up below;

Yoruba actress, Lizzy Anjorin, has taken to her social media page on Instagram to thank her ‘sugar daddy’ for contributing to the successful premiere of her widely publicized movie, ‘Owo Nairabet,’ in Lagos on Friday.

According to the actress, who had in a previous interview denied having a sugar daddy, the presence of the Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi and a representative of the Ooni of Ife added colour to the event.

The controversial actress wrote;

“A night to my event I was very scared! I was scared to death, yes! I was scared! Not because of the money I have spent, not because of people, in fact not because of anything, but because of God Himself.

“When I walked into the hall, I was expecting to see empty seats as they had threatened but behold! JAGUNLABI was with me. He was already there before me. Note. He was not there alone, He came with awon ALAGBARA ati awon OLOWO AYE and I burst into tears because my Sugar Daddy caught me unaware!!

Choose your Sugar Daddy wisely, mine is always there for me. Can you guess the name of my aforementioned Sugar Daddy?”

Her post, which apparently referred to divine intervention at the event didn’t come as a surprise to many because of the circumstances surrounding the premiere.

A founding chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne has asked former governor of the state and member of the party, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, to stop acting as a spokesperson for President Muhammadu Buhari.

He also cautioned him against comments that could portray the APC as incapable of keeping to its words.

Ikonne lamented that the former governor had boldly informed Nigerians that ailing Buhari would return to the country before June 12, a declaration that failed.

Okonne said, “Last time, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu told Nigerians that President Buhari would return soon and he is not the spokesman of the President.

“Till now, the President is yet to return. He should keep quiet and learn to live like an elder statesman, not trying to take the job of the president’s spokesmen.” 

Okonne, a former governorship aspirant under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, 

ACN, was speaking with journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, where he said 95 per cent of the people of Abia State were not happy with the way Kalu governed Abia for eight years.

He added, “I plead with him not to scare people away from joining the party because we need a strong party in the state.

“The real voters are the masses and if they are scared that the deception we witnessed in the past would also be associated with the APC in the state, then they will not come in.”

He further pleaded with Kalu not to scare members of the party in Abia “with his style of leadership because we need a strong APC in Abia State.

“If Abia is backward, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu laid the foundation and has taken Abia 16 years backwards. He laid a very wrong foundation for Abia state and as such, he should not be making statements that are false.

“My advice to him will be to keep quiet, be in a sober mood, go in for retreat, and try as much as he can to build a path of peace. He should embark on a mission to reconcile everybody. Let him make peace with his enemies so that we can attract more people to the party.”

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is plotting to assassinate its leader, Nnamdi Kanu through military coup.

He said the coup will also overthrow the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

IPOB claimed that Obasanjo plots to use the military to create coup that will lead to the assassination of Kanu.

The group made the allegation while reacting to call by Obasanjo that Kanu should be made to put a stop to his agitation for Biafra.

In a statement sent to DAILY POST by spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful, the group said Obasanjo’s remark is a “systematic way of telling the whole world that he has plans on the way to overthrow this present Government”, adding that this is the “only possible means he can justify the assassination of Nnamdi Kanu and others who are calling for the restoration of Biafra.”

See full statement below:

The members of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide and it’s leadership worldwide wish to put the whole world on notice of the call by the two times former president of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to assassinate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the leader of the indigenous people of Biafra through the Military coup.

We are drawing the attention of the well meaning civilised society across the globe that Obasanjo have decided to put Nigeria into coax by calling Nigeria Army to plot a coup in Nigeria to justify his call to assassinate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other members of IPOB who are bent in using peaceful means to restore Biafra.

The call by Olusegun Obasanjo is to repeat the scenario of 1966 massacre of Biafrans especially the Igbos living in Northern and Western parts of Nigeria before the war of genocide broke out against the people of Biafra between 1967 and 1970.

Since the inception of IPOB and emergence of Our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu we have maintained the nonviolent posture towards the restoration of Biafra, IPOB have never killed any fly rather the Federal Government of Nigeria and her security operatives have been killing the innocent members of IPOB and Bisfrans without provocation.

IPOB and Biafrans are not calling for war or any confrontation with Nigeria Government, individual or group, what we are requesting is referendum to ascertain whether the people of Biafra would choose to remain in Nigeria or not.

Again and to ascertain if the people of Biafra will choose to remain with the humiliation, killing, sufferings in Nigeria. All the civilized world knew the meaning of self determination and referendum that it cannot become a call for war rather it is legal means in the United Nations charter which suppose to be honoured by any member country including Nigeria Government and her politicians like Obasanjo and others.

This call by Olusegun Obasanjo to stop Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members worldwide is a systematic way of telling the whole world that he had plans on the way to over throw this present Government and the only possible means he can justify the assassination of Nnamdi Kanu and others who are calling for the restoration of Biafra, but if anything happen to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and others or military take over in Nigeria the whole world will hold Olusegun Obasanjo and cohorts responsible.

With this we are calling on United Nations UN, African Union AU, European Union EU, ECOWAS, USA Government, Russia Government, Israeli Government, French Government, Canada, Australia, Chinese Government, British Government, Japan, Amnesty International, Human Right Watch, other relevant human rights organizations across the globe and the people of good concience in the whole universe to be aware of the statements credited to former president of Nigerian Chief Olusegu Obasanjo.

Nollywood actress, Remi Oshodi popularly known as Remi Surutu, has written an open letter to her late daughter, Ayomikun who died few days ago. She was buried earlier today at the Ebony Vault, Ikoyi

In the actress’ open letter she dropped on IG, she asked her daughter to rest in peace till a time they can both meet again and be together. Read letter below;

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo says nobody can remove Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

He said this in Kaduna on Thursday while commissioning a zonal office of the EFCC.

Represented by Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, the acting president described Magu as a “nightmare for corrupt people”.

“We have confidence in Magu to fight corruption to a standstill. He will remain the EFCC chairman as long as I remain the acting president and as well as Muhammadu Buhari remains the president,” he said.

“It is our belief that Magu will continue to remain a nightmare for corrupt people for years to come.”

'Relatives of the groom who [appeared to have shot] the photographer brought the victim to the hospital,' Executive Director at Bhannes Medical Center Michel Chahine told The Daily Star.

But once there, some of the relatives are reported to have inexplicably stormed into the hospital and attacked the doctors treating the victim.

One staff member suffered a broken eye socket and will have to himself undergo surgery in the coming days, Mr Chahine said.

He said: 

'I honestly do not have an explanation why they did that... They brought a victim of their actions [to the hospital], then began hitting those trying to tend to the victim.'

When asked if there was security at the hospital, Chahine said it has never been necessary due to the calmness of the area.'

'Our doors are open to those in need,' he said. 'We are located in the mountains, in a village, unlike in Beirut.'

He added that the assailants' identities were known and that it was now the Internal Security Forces' responsibility to apprehend them.

The President of the Private Hospitals Syndicate, Sleiman Haroun, condemned the acts of violence, saying: 'Enough is enough.'

Haroun said they would wait a few days but 'if nothing is done [by security forces or the government] they would take a strong position'.

He added: 

'We will no longer accept this. I am not going to call anyone out for being responsible, because they know who they are.'

Mr Chahine said the justice and health ministers both contacted him to denounce Friday's attack.

Lol! Someone should help me tell Banky that nobody is stealing his personal Angelina Jolie!

Earlier today, Owerri born Nollywood Actress, Adesua Etomi was casted as a lead act for a movie ‘MUNA’ – A movie that apparently has to do with physical combat or something of such nature, because aside from Adesua posing with a Samurai Sword, a lady wielding a gun was pictured on the movie art cover.

Reacting to the photo of his Bride-to-be wielding a Samurai Sword, Banky W had this to say..

The governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has described those behind the agitation for the break up and restructuring of the country as real enemies of the country.

The governor stated this yesterday in Lokoja during a meeting with leaders of the organised labour in the state.

He called on Nigerians to disregard calls for the restructuring of the country, describing such calls as mere political deceit.

Bello said: “Nigeria under President Muhammad Buhari is on the path of restoring its lost glory.

“I appeal to Nigerians to support the federal government in its determination to right the wrongs of the past.

The President has since assumption of office made practical efforts to unite every segment of the Nigerian federation.”

According to him, “Every country has their unique challenges, but are making effort to overcome these challenges collectively irrespective of their cultural, religious or political differences.

“Nigeria is a blessed country with the prospect of a great nation. I urge every Nigerian to support the government by being patriotic and peaceful.

“Those agitating for disintegration of Nigeria are enemies of the country. Even, their call for restructuring is mere political deceit.”

The governor noted that his administration had since assumption of office in the state taken bold steps to improve critical infrastructures such as: roads, rural electrification, water and quality health-care for the people of the state.

He further stated that he had paid workers’ salaries and arrears up to May this year, adding that efforts were on to ensure that arrears of pensions were completely paid off.

“One of the gains of Civil Service Reform is that Kogi has a reliable data base for its workforce,” he added.

Earlier on, the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Onu Edoka, commended the governor for his giant strides in infrastructure and Security.

“While we believe that suspects generally are entitled to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, SERAP opposes blanket non-disclosure of names of high-ranking public officials from whom some of the funds were recovered.”

“SERAP insists that the public interest to know is greater than any other legitimate interest that the government might wish to protect. The Nigerian government has an obligation to balance whether the risk of harm to the legitimate aim (that is secrecy of ongoing corruption investigation and presumption of innocence) from disclosure of the names of public officials is greater than the public interest in accessing the information.”

“According to public interest test, even if the government demonstrates that the publication of the names of public officials would substantially harm a legitimate interest, it is nevertheless obliged to disclose the requested information if, as it is the case here, the public interest in disclosure is sufficient enough to overweight the harm.”

“SERAP believes that the recoveries, specifically from high-ranking public officials (and not private individuals), are matters of public interest. Publishing the names of those public officials will provide insights relevant to the public debate on the ongoing efforts to prevent and combat a culture of grand corruption and the longstanding impunity of perpetrators in the country.”

“The gravity of the crime of grand corruption, the devastating effects on the socially and economically vulnerable sectors of the population, and the fact that recovery of huge funds from high-ranking public officials entrusted with the public treasury raise a prima-facie case and therefore amount to exceptional circumstances that justify naming those high-ranking officials in the public interest.”

“SERAP also argues that Nigerians are entitled to the right to truth derived from the obligations of the government to carry out an investigation of violations of human rights and crime of corruption committed within its jurisdiction; to identify, prosecute and punish those responsible; and to ensure that victims have the simple and prompt recourse for protection against violation of fundamental rights, as well as to ensure transparency in public administration.”

“SERAP believes that the right to truth allows Nigerians to gain access to information essential to the fight against corruption and in turn development of democratic institutions as well as provides a form of reparation to victims of grand corruption in the country.”

“Publishing the names of public officials involved could go a long way in preventing senior public officials from turning the public treasury into a private cashbox. SERAP argues that the public interest in publishing the names of the high-ranking government officials from whom funds were received outweighs any considerations to withhold the information, as there would be no prejudice against those whose names are published as long as the information is appropriately framed and truthful.”

“There is a general public interest in promoting transparency, accountability, public understanding and involvement in the democratic process. While the government in some limited cases can legitimately place restrictions on the public’s right to access certain information, attempts of the Nigerian authorities to justify the total closure of information related to the names of public officials from whom funds were recovered on the basis of “ongoing criminal investigation” and “presumption of innocence goes far beyond the limitations allowed under international law, and would promote secret recoveries.”

“The information being requested is not related to detailed investigatory activities of anti corruption agencies regarding the recoveries so far made. Similarly, the mere fact that the information being requested is related to ongoing investigation does not necessarily mean that the information could not be disclosed. In addition, governmental agency has the obligation to prove that the disclosure of the names of public officials would disrupt, impede, or otherwise harm the ongoing or pending investigations or presumption of innocence.”

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, on Wednesday said the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, 

Ibrahim Magu was using the Paris Club refund to “blackmail” state governors.

Fayose made the claim while lamenting the incessant harassment of serving governors in the country, especially the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Zamfara State, Abudulazeez Yari

In a statement by by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka , Fayose said “The EFCC is obviously blackmailing State Governors on the Paris Club refunds.”  

Fayose, who said that Governor Yari, as the leader of all the State Governors in Nigeria deserved some level of respect from “Magu and his gangs in the EFCC,” added that “Rushing to court to seek forfeiture of properties on which no one had been convicted and maligning the NGF chairman is to say the least, irresponsible.”

The governor described the “onslaught on Governor Yari as a direct attack on all the governors of the 36 States” of Nigeria, adding that all the “governors to rise and protect the NGF.” 

He pointed out that the Paris Club refunds was occasioned by the Federal Government’s illegal conversion of funds belonging to the States and Local Governments, adding that it was absurd that the Federal Government, which illegally used money belonging to the States and Local Governments for its own purpose was the one giving conditions as to how the refund must be spent.

“It is like a man stealing your money and now coming back to give you conditions to refund the money he stole and also telling you how to spend the money,” he said.

The governor said it was the height of rascality for the EFCC to keep feeding the public with falsehood and maligning the hard-earned integrity of Nigerians, especially former and serving governors.

“This persistent media trial is the reason EFCC has lost most of the high-profile corruption cases at the law courts.

“For instance, EFCC was the one that investigated and it was the one that went to court to file ex-parte application, seeking interim forfeiture of N500m and $500,000 it claimed was looted from the Paris Club refunds. No defence from any of the accused.

“Yet, Governor Yari is already being presented to the public as a thief by the EFCC. This irresponsibility must stop because these attacks on the person of NGF chairman by Magu and by extension the entire governors in Nigeria must stop,” he said.