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Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Arewa Youths Reconsiders Quit Notice Issued To Igbos




Written by elombah.com

THE Coalition of Arewa youths that issued a quit notice to the Igbo residing in the north will reconsider their stand following the position of Southeast leaders, Alhaji Shettima Yerima said yesterday.

Yerima, president of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), one of the youth groups that issued the October 1 deadline, was quoted by TheNation Newspaper to have said that they were pleased that the Igbo leaders strongly condemned the pro-Biafra agitators.

“We are happy that the Igbo leaders have taken a step to curtail some people who have been trying to hold the country down through their actions.”
Yerima said the ultimatum was issued because the leaders did not do anything to caution the agitators, who were hell bent in causing trouble for the country.

“Now that they have said they remain committed to indivisible Nigeria, we will reconsider our position on the matter,” Yerima said, adding: “We will have to discuss with the stakeholders across the North, what the Igbo leaders did is a welcome development. If they had done this the past, we would not have reasons to take the step we took.

“It is unfortunate that they allowed their position and leadership to be undermined by one fraudster, toying with the destiny of over 40 million people, which is not right.

“We are also saying people should not just fold their hands and allow some people who are desperate for relevance to toy with their collective destiny. We will meet and discuss the matter because we are truly proud of Nigeria.

“Now that they have done what we expect of them, we would have to reconsider our position. We will meet and make our position known to the world.”







SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS COMMIT TO ONE INDIVISIBLE RESTRUCTURED NIGERIA






….South East Leaders Say No Thanks To Kanu’s IPOB, Commit to Nigeria’s Unity, Restructuring

South East leaders have declined calls for a divided Nigeria following the outcome of an interactive forum of stakeholders. The leaders reiterated their commitment to a united Nigeria where peace, fairness and equality of opportunities are paramount to citizens irrespective of ethnicity or political affiliation.

“We are also in full support of the clamour for the restructure of the country and call on the Federal Government to start a dialogue with Nigerians on the modalities for achieving it,” said Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Gov. Dave Umahi.

The Ebonyi state governor said that leaders from the zone condemn all manner of hate speeches from any segment of the country.

The leaders also threw their weight behind the call for full restructuring of the country on the platform of fairness and equity.

He said that they were in consultation with leaders from other parts of the country with a view to engaging the Federal Government in a meaningful dialogue.

He said that the region was in full support of the 2014 National Conference report and urged the Federal Government to set up structures for implementing same within a reasonable time.

Umahi appealed to the Federal Government to take steps that would ensure safety of the people of the area wherever they lived in the country “just as we have guaranteed the safety of those in our domain”.

With ethnic divisiveness that has reached such a pitch, the leaders dismissed fears that Nigeria may be pushed from the brink to chaos once again.

NAN further reports that the meeting which held at the Nike Lake Resort had all governors of the zone in attendance.

Former Senate Presidents Chief Ken Nnamani and Chief Adolph Wabara as well as the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu was also in attendance.

Other prominent leaders in attendance included, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Sen. Gil Nnaji, Sen. Chukwuka Utazi and several members of the House of Representatives from the zone.

Members of the clergy, traditional rulers and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo was also represented.




2019 - PANIC IN PDP AS APC PLOTS TO UNSEAT OKOWA.







·         APC DELTA, EMERHOR, OGBORU BUILDING POLITICAL CASTLES IN THE AIR.

Executive Assistant to Governor of Delta State on Communication, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe has said that It is no longer strange to the good people of Delta State that the Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leaders are prone to social media politics especially when they are lobbying for hot cakes and juicy political appointments at the Presidency.

He asserted in a statement that Deltans where again thrown to another round of laughter on Sunday July 2,  when an online newspaper, The New DIPLOMAT wailed aloud with a screaming headline titled: "2019: Panic Grips PDP As APC Plots To Unseat Okowa."

According to him, the story ended without any convincing political and mobilization strategies of how the APC national and state structures intends to unseat the indefatigable workaholic and smart governor of Delta State. It only mentioned names of some big politicians in the recessed and moribund APC government.

"I am moved with endless pity for APC Delta and its leaders. Elections are not won on pages of newspapers and on the cyberspace. For the avoidance of doubt, Chief Great Ogboru and Olorogun Otega Emerhor in time past ganged up against PDP and its candidate under the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and both crashed like a pack of card.

"Therefore, their recent political reunion is not knew to Deltans and shall crash shamefully again come 2019.

"May I also add that Prof Pat Utomi is a super breed academician but not a grassroots politician. I am pretty sure that there are several American and British Universities waiting to contract him as a super Professor of Political Economy. It will be a herculean task for Utomi to win one LGA in Delta State should he fly APC guber ticket in 2019.

"Ogboru is already a spent politician with no credibility in terms of ability to win elections coupled with the fact that his company, Fiogreat Limited was recently declared as a weak going concern by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

"Delta State treasury is not available for the payment of huge bank loans obtained by Fiogret Limited or any other company for that matter.

"Ogboru is strongly advised to sort out himself and reposition his private company before thinking of contesting the guber election in 2019.

"There are also strong indications that APC will not allow Ogboru to fly its flag in 2019, which may have accounted for the reason why APGA Party signs are all over Abraka, the capital of Ogboru's failed governorship ambition spanning nearly two decades.

"On a final note, PDP under the leadership of Gov Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa in Delta State, is solid and fully in-charge of the political mobilization of the grassroots in the State.

"The enviable performance of the Okowa administration speaks volume and Deltans more than ever before are willing and ready to re-elect him come 2019,"the statement added.




Restructure Nigeria now –Says northern Senator, comrade Shehu Sani





The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani, has thrown his weight behind those calling for the restructuring of the country.

He said that the present situation called for every Nigerian to take the opportunity offered to restructure and redesign Nigeria.


“We should come out with a new master plan that will address the social, economic and political crises that gave birth to some of these agitations.

“We should also use the opportunity to reach out, to strengthen our unity and form a coalition against separatists, who come from the southeast and ultra-nationalist and anarchist who come from northern part of Nigeria.

“This is the time for each and every Nigerian to take position. Nigeria will not and should not be Soviet Union; Nigeria will not be and must not be Yugoslavia, Nigerian should and must not be Sudan.

“There are issues we need to address. This is an opportunity for us to restructure and redesign our country,” Senator Shehu Sani.

Sani, who spoke to newsmen in Kaduna, added, “The moral calling of all men of conscience is to champion the cause of unity and peace. And for people like me, this is my area of calling. Biafran agitators are persons who have forgotten the lessons of history, the country is bigger than individuals, we are one and we should remain one.

“The Igbo Ethnic Groups have since been able to build themselves economically, and present themselves as Nigerians. Igbos can clearly be found in all the nooks and crannies of this country, and I believe we should be able to separate the few, who want seccession from millions, who live among us as Nigerians.

“Any Southerner in the North is in the north because he believes in one Nigeria, if he dose not believe in one Nigeria, he could have gone back to Southeast. We should look at it this way, it is great that we are called giant of Africa because of our size, our population and because of the promise we hold for West Africa and the black race. Seccession is not an option, those who want to divide this country should be condemned in totality and I can understand the anger by some of our people in Northern part of Nigeria, but we should not play to the gallery.

“The secessionist should not determine our collective decision or distract what our response should be. If they are for seccession, we are for unity. We must protect Igbos that are living in the Northern part of Nigeria because they are here to live with us; they are here because they believe in one Nigeria.But Nnamdi Kanu and his Biafran forces are doomed to fail because Nigeria will remain one.

“This is a time to challenge them, combat and nip them in the bud. It is the time in history of this country that we must speak out. I will also say a Nation united by force is vulnerable, a Nation united by justice is inseparable, that must be our goal.”

Speaking on the need for unity in Kaduna State, Senator Shehu Sani explained, “I am opposed to the dropping of these 4,766 district heads,for the very fact that they are a very strong instruments of peace and unity. I call on the governor to reverse his decision. There is enough money to pay them.

“In a situation whereby we have a government in Kaduna State that is issuing out contracts to advisers, members of the State House of Assembly and the people in the position of authority, which is contrary to ethics of civil service, in that sense, you know that it is very disgusting to accuse the PDP, the Ramalan Yero, Makarfi, Late Yakowa’s government of corruption in Kaduna State.

“In Kaduna State, you have public office holders who submit companies to be awarded contracts.We should understand that it is not just about N3 billion Contract scam, but there are ethics issues concerned, a civil servant is not allowed to be a contractor.

“It is an act of nepotism to send your son, your wife, to do contract directly under your office, it is against the code of conduct, code of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for an elected public civil servant, office holder to engage in contract, that is very wrong.

“The only persons who are immune to face investigation is the governor and deputy governor of all this persons involved. The governor of the state should follow it up and set up investigation panel to fish out the bad eggs within his government and deal with them.

“If Buhari can drop Babachir as a Secretary to the government of the federation for giving his own company contracts, governor Nasir El- Rufai should tow the line by sacking his aides that have exploited their positions in office, and have turned themselves into contractors.”









Police arraign 13 arrow-heads of crisis in 5 Delta communities





by Evans Chidalu

About 13 arrow heads of crisis in 5 Delta communities namely Amai, Igbudu-Aka, Ezionum, Umuebu, Eziokpo and Abraka Communities have been arraigned by the Delta State Police Command.

The suspected persons formenting the trouble include, Solomon Oguagwu, Francis Enemekku, Obiokolie Cyprian, Sylvester Awaye, Azuka Onochie, Aduye Joromi.

Others are, John Iwebenua, Patrick Wepuaka, Ignatius Menedo, Isibor Augustine, Nwabunwanne Ifeanyi, Anthony Uwelu and Emeka Dike.

It was gathered that Amai has been in lingering land dispute and concomitant crisis with the neighbouring communities of Umuebu, Ezionum, Eziokpo, and Obiaruku.

According to the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Andrew Aniamka, these crisis which have somewhat become an annual ritual especially at the commencement of every new farming season have resulted in loss of lives and properties.

DSP Aniamaka said that the command has severally convened meetings to broker peace among these communities but the effort so far amounted to pouring water on a hard rock.

Police Image maker noted that the communities have continued unabated in the act of kidnapping, abduction, murder and other unpardonable excesses in spite of the repeated appeals both from the security forces and the state government.

“Left with no other option, and in line with our earlier expressed warnings, the command arraigned the arrow heads of the crisis in court”, Aniamaka said.

OKOWA APPOINTS ONYEMAKA DESAA MD





The Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has approved the appointment of Mr.Onyemaka Kenneth as the Managing Director of Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency (DESAA).

The appointment letter signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Hon. Festus Ovie  Agas, stated that the appointment takes effect from the 1st of June, 2017.

The Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency will take charge of the management of signage and  outdoor advertisement assets in the state.

It will be recalled that as part of government's determination to regulate signage and outdoor advertising activities in the state, the Delta State House of Assembly recently passed the state structure for signage and advertisement agency amendment  bill and which has been signed into law.

Delta Wins 2017 Outstanding State Govt Healthcare Programme Award




The Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, introduced under the administration of the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has won the 2017 Outstanding State Government Healthcare Programme of the Year Award for its innovative health Insurance programme.

The award, which was presented at the just concluded Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) in Lagos, was in recognition of the state's outstanding service delivery in the field of healthcare in Nigeria and the State Supported Health Insurance Scheme under the Delta State Contributory Health Commission which is now in its 6th month of operation.

Delta State Government commenced its State Supported Health Insurance Scheme on the 1st of January 2017, the first state to commence such a programme in Nigeria and now has over 60,000 enrollees registered and receiving healthcare services across the state. 

Activities to scale up the scheme’s portfolio is currently at an advanced stage with emphasis on the vulnerable members of the society to ensure that no one is left behind.

The Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) is an annual event which celebrates distinguished personalities and organizations who have contributed immensely to the growth of the Nigeria health sector in the year under review.

Speaking while receiving the award on behalf of the state government, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, thanked the organizers for the recognition given to the great strides of Dr. Okowa towards institutionalizing in the state the Health Insurance Scheme he started as Chairman Senate Committee on Health.

He assured that the Delta State Contributory Health Commission will ensure continuous advancement of the State Health Insurance Scheme for all residents of the state.

The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Ben Nkechika, expressed delight in the recognition given to the state and enjoined all Deltans to get involved in the health scheme as the strategic roll-out activities of the scheme continues across the state.






Bishop Kukah reveals the cause of Boko Haram insurgency in north east Nigeria









Matthew Hassan KukahCatholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, His eminence, Mathew Hassan Kukah has stated that lack of public awareness and commitment on the side of all stakeholders involved in the control and management of the country are the causes of Boko Haram insurgency in the north east of Nigeria

He also expressed his belief that Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria will come to an end with time, noting that the insurgency is a lesson from God to test our faith.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Kukah who is the founder of The Kukah Center, a non governmental organization based in Abuja stated this on Saturday in Maiduguri during a 3-day workshop in deradicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration in the post Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria.

He further called on the people to continue to pray for the end of the insurgency and peace to return to the region.

Bishop Kukah commended community, religious and ethnic group leaders in the state and region for preaching the gospel of peace, unity and hope to their people.

The erudite cleric thanked the management of the University of Maiduguri for leaving the doors of the institution open for the students’ academic activities in spite of all the threats and attacks from the Boko Haram insurgents.

Kukah said that the only solution to Boko Haram is education which informed the acclaimed firmness of the management of the university for refusing to close the school despite all threats and attacks to fight back.

“I must commend the university for leaving its doors open for more young people to be educated which is the antidote of Boko Haram. I once heard the Governor of Borno State Kashim Shettima saying that if Boko Haram is against education, the only solution to them is education which is why inspite of all odds your institution is still open.”

Kukah noted that it was not in the interest of Nigeria for anybody to support Boko Haram insurgency, urging people to learn from history and ask the Germans how they survived after the war.

“I believe in the power of the supremacy of God and it is important for Nigerians to understand that we are still understanding the blessings of God because some people have seen conflicts for up to fifty years and are wishing they never embarked on it.”

He described the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East of Nigeria as a tragedy which is happening as a result of lack of awareness and collective commitment.