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IPOB asks S’ East Govs To Commemorate Civil War Heroes As Court Grants Bail To 42 Members
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on all South East Governors to dedicate May 30 as a public holiday, as a mark of respect and honour for Biafran fallen heroes killed during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970).
The commemoration by IPOB came as Justice John Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja grants bail to 42 members arrested in Anambra State in December 2023, and subsequently bundled to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by security agents.
The organization said it is a time of introspection, a moment to consider the position of Biafrans in modern-day Nigeria and their relevance in the broader national context.
IPOB, however said unfortunately, the issues that ultimately led to the Biafran war are still present within the policies and decisions of the government.
The Lead Counsel of IPOB, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said these in a statement sent to journalists in Abuja.
He said, “Today, May 30 2024, as we commemorate the death of our fallen heroes and heroines who died during the three years pogrom on Biafran soil, a Federal High of Nigeria sitting in Abuja per Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho, delivered its ruling on the bail applications we filed and moved on behalf of 42 innocent Biafrans made up of Igbo youths, young women, mothers and fathers, who were arrested in Anambra in December 2023, and subsequently bundled to Abuja by overzealous Nigerian security agents.
“His Lordship, in his well considered Ruling delivered moments ago, admitted all these innocent Biafrans to bail. Pertinent to reiterate that these innocent Biafrans were arrested in Anambra State by overzealous Nigerian security agents, whilst they were going about their respective legitimate businesses, and subsequently brought to Abuja and charged before the court in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/8/2024, on a three count frivolous and unfounded charge of terrorism, on account of their alleged membership of IPOB.
“We shall take steps to ensure that the terms of the bail granted by the court are met as swiftly as possible so that these innocent men and women, can rejoin their families as soon as possible.
“We are also hopeful that all innocent Biafrans who are being held in various detention facilities across the country, will regain their freedom soonest. May God continue to bless all Ezigbo UmuChineke, even as we continue to move!”
Ejiofor said May 30 is set aside as a special day to remember and reflect on the death of over five million Biafrans who were massacred in a genocide during the three-year Biafra-Nigeria war, which lasted from July 6, 1967 to January 15, 1970.
According to him, the day is dedicated to honoring IPOB fallen heroes and heroines, not only to remember the cause for which they were brutally killed but also to reflect on how their deaths have impacted the lives of Biafrans, the lessons learned, and the resolutions made since then.
He said, “It is a time of introspection, a moment to consider the position of Biafrans in modern-day Nigeria and their relevance in the broader national context. Unfortunately, the issues that ultimately led to the Biafran war are still present within the policies and decisions of the government.
“Further, we must remember the massacre of over six thousand men, mainly residents of Asaba, who were gruesomely killed at Obosowe Asaba in present-day Delta State between October 4 and 7, 1967. Nigeria is under a moral obligation to acknowledge this tragedy, as it was not the making of Asaba. The massacre, where Nigerian troops summoned unarmed and innocent Asaba residents, rounded them up, and killed them in cold blood remains fresh in our minds.
“It is important to note that no matter how long history is hidden, it will always reveal itself on true platforms. Unfortunately, the story of post-war reconstruction, reintegration, and reconciliation has remained a ruse. These three Rs must go hand in hand for a full healing process, but the reverse has been the case.
“I use this moment of sober reflection to call on all South East Governors to dedicate May 30th as a public holiday, as a mark of respect and honour for Biafran fallen heroes. It is not asking too much to remember and commemorate Biafran heroes and heroines by declaring this date a public holiday across Biafraland. It is worth noting that long before 2019, the entire South West states had set aside June 12 as a public holiday to commemorate the anniversary of the annulled 1993 Presidential election, adjudged to have been won by the late MKO Abiola. Heaven did not fall when the South West Governors made this declaration in unison. Rather, the Federal Government was later compelled by the strong resolve of these leaders to consequently declare June 12th, a national public holiday starting from 2019 to date.
“Only the truth can set us free from the bondage of war and propaganda. I also wish to use this solemn opportunity to call on the government, particularly the Federal Government, to unconditionally release genuine Biafran agitators who are being held in various detention facilities. This gesture will go a long way in assuaging the ill-feelings of the gravely marginalized Biafrans and will help restore a sense of reintegration in the Nigerian project, pending a United Nations-organized and supervised referendum to determine the ultimate fate of Biafrans.
“As we continue to pray for the repose of our fallen heroes and heroines massacred during the civil war and subsequently, may we remember the cause for which they died. They did not die for the cause of relentless perpetration of heinous crimes, not for the cause of kidnapping, not for the cause of rampant rape of their descendants, not for the cause of killing our innocent brothers and sisters by those who have sold their souls to evil. It is not in our character, culture, and tradition to kill our own. Onye nwere nti ya nuru! Ozo emezina!!!
“May the souls of our departed fallen heroes and heroines continue to rest in the bosom of the Almighty Chukwuokike Abiama. Iseee, Iseeee, Iseeee!!!”
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 has commended the developmental strides of Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, just as he assured of the support of traditional institutions in the state.
Sultan who admonished other governor’s to also borrow a leaf from governor Ahmed Aliyu who ensures that resident communities enjoys equal benefit from everybody, added that, Nigerians should project what unites us moe than that which divides us.
“In Sokoto, we appreciate what the Governor is doing and we’d like to assure him of the support of the traditional institution so that he can continue the good work he’s doing of transforming our State.
“The Governor and our security agencies are doing their best and this has made the state to record tremendous improvement in the fight against banditry,” the Sultan averred.
While adding that governor Ahmed Aliyu deserves special commendation for the massive distribution of food items during the just-concluded Ramadan fast, Sultan urged Nigerians to always be law-abiding and desist from any act that may jeopardise the long lasting peace the country is enjoying.
Registering his displeasure over how the social media is been used negatively to promote and sow seed o discord, the Sultan said, some unpatriotic citizens use social media to spread falsehood, misinformation and provocative statements that can destroy the peaceful atmosphere the country is enjoying.
He, therefore, called on the security agencies in the country to be watchful of the unpatriotic citizens trying to create chaos in the land.
Speaking during his
Sallah homage on governor Ahmed Aliyu at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Lodge, Sokoto, Sultan
said, “”In Sokoto all Nigerians are treated as indigenes, an act that gives Nigerians residing in the State a sense of belonging.
Sultan equally stressed the need for for state governors to give much emphasis in protecting the lives and property of their subjects, describing security as the basis upon which all societies could progress.
Responding, governor Ahmed Aliyu reassured his administration’s determination to do everything humanly possible to make the state safe and secured.
He blamed unemployment especially among the youths as responsible for the insecurity being recorded in many parts of the country.
According to Aliyu, many youths have joined informants’ groups so as to be getting stipends to make ends meet.
“This administration has so far trained and graduated thousands of youths and women in different trades so as to make them productive members in the society.
” I want to assure you that we would soon embark on another massive skills acquisition programme to engage more unemployed youths in our modest attempt to reduce restiveness among our youths,” he vowed
Gov. Aliyu further reassured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize Islamic affairs, adding that more Mosques and Islamiyya schools would continue to receive the desired attention from the state government.
He thanked the people of the state for their fervent prayers and support to his administration and called for it’s sustainance.
Sterling Bank has made a groundbreaking move by eliminating transfer charges on local transactions, aiming to create a more equitable banking experience for Nigerians. The question now arises: will other financial institutions follow this lead?
On April 1, Sterling Bank announced the removal of transfer fees for all local digital transactions, positioning itself as the first major bank in Nigeria to implement such a policy. Initially, the announcement faced skepticism, with many believing it to be an April Fools’ Day joke. However, Sterling has since reaffirmed the policy’s legitimacy and immediate implementation, signaling a significant evolution in the industry’s customer service approach.
Obinna Ukachukwu, the Growth Executive overseeing the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate, stated, “We believe that accessing your own funds should not incur a penalty. This decision transcends financial implications; it reflects our core values.”
With this new policy, Sterling customers can now make free transfers for all local transactions via the bank’s mobile app. This initiative is anticipated to yield considerable savings for individuals and small business owners who frequently engage in transfers.
“We may not be the largest bank in Nigeria, but we are certainly the most audacious,” Ukachukwu declared. “Sterling Bank is committed to the future of Nigeria, and we are backing our fellow citizens with more than just words.”
Sterling Bank has a history of prioritizing customer welfare, having previously offered financial assistance to healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This latest initiative has garnered widespread public support, igniting conversations on social media and prompting calls for other banks to adopt similar practices.
“We take pride in leading this transformative change,” Ukachukwu concluded. “We hope to inspire others to rethink what customers truly require from their banks, not only in terms of services but also in values.”