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Sit-At-Home: Security Operatives Warns Against Disruption Of WAEC Exams

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Security operatives in Imo State have called on residents to ignore the order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for people of the South East to sit at home on May 30, 2024, to mark the Biafra Remembrance Day celebration.

Addressing newsmen during a confidence-boosting parade in Owerri on Wednesday, the commissioner of police, Danjuma Aboki, said security operatives were ready to arrest anyone or group attempting to foment trouble in the state under the guise of a sit-at-home order.

IPOB said the day was set aside to honour those who died during the civil war between July 6, 1967 and January 15, 1970.

IPOB also warned that all activities in the South-East are banned on 30th May, calling on the governors in the region to provide adequate security for lives and property on that day.

Also, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, insisted that today’s celebration must be held despite threats by Nigerian security agents.

Police Deploy Special Squad To Schools, Offices In Anambra
The Anambra State Police command said it had deployed its operatives of the Schools Protection Squad (SPS), to institutions ahead of today’s sit-at-home order by IPOB.

Although the Anambra State government has not made any official pronouncement on the sit-at-home, the state police command said an Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Operations Department of the command would lead the squad.

Unofficially, heads of the various departments in the state secretariat warned workers of the consequences of absenting themselves from work in the guise of Biafra Day.

To ensure that the state is properly secured, the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Itam yesterday complemented the Joint Security Force comprising the Army, Navy, Civil Defence, and other sister agencies to address any security concern, especially against those enforcing illegal sit-at-home in the state.

The CP specifically directed the squad to ensure the safety of students, who are currently sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) which would start today nationwide.

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According to the CP, the special squad was designed to protect the schools, students, and institutional infrastructure.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement that members of the squad have been equipped with relevant assets and advanced training to effectively respond to security challenges facing educational institutions.

Also, yesterday, the Imo State Police headquarters said the command had massively deployed their men to ensure protection of lives and property ahead of today’s declaration of a sit-at-home order by IPOB.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri.

The police said the aim was to ensure that residents go about their businesses without fear of intimidation by the IPOB enforcers of sit-at-home.

According to the Police, “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, Aboki Danjuma, has urged the law-abiding residents of the state to disregard the unlawful and deleterious three days sit-at-home order imposed by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN) and go about their lawful businesses without any form of fear or intimidation as the command in synergy with other security agencies has emplaced adequate security measures to evade any threat of attack by any insurgent group.

“Security operatives drawn from the Police, Military, Civil Defence, Road Safety, Immigration and Fire Service have been massively deployed to embark on confidence-building patrol and operation show of force across the 27 LGAs of the state to ensure public safety.

“The Command, therefore, is using this medium to warn anybody intending to destabilise the improved peace and security in the state by attempting to enforce the illegal sit-at-home order to have a rethink as anyone caught in the act will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

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“The Commissioner of Police calls on ‘Ndi Imo’ to be security-conscious and swiftly report any suspicious person seen or clandestine activity observed within their vicinity to the nearest Police Station or via the Command’s emergency lines 08034773600 or 08098880197.”

This is as the Enugu State government, said it did not declare Thursday as a public holiday as speculated.

The statement by Enugu State Government, Anambra and Imo police commands followed threats by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, insisting on commemorating the Biafra Day in the South-East today.

In a circular issued yesterday by Enugu State Head of Service, Ken Ugwu, and circulated to heads of state agencies, ministries, parastatals, academic and medical institutions and other sundry arms, the Head of Service said it became expedient to clarify that the state government did not declare today as a public holiday or sit-at-home day, contrary to misconceptions from some quarters.

According to the circular, “May I, therefore, remind our workers that failure to be in their duty posts today will attract summary dismissal from service in line with the enabling provisions of the Public Service Rules.

“It must be noted that such purported public holiday/sit-at-home will have far-reaching consequences on the academic pursuit of our children, who are taking part in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations held simultaneously across the entire West African sub-region including the South Eastern region.

“Enugu State government strongly frowns at any calculated attempt to mortgage the future of our children and has, therefore, put in place necessary security arrangements to guarantee the safety and unrestricted movement of all citizens and residents within the state.

“All Permanent Secretaries, Directors of Administration, Heads of Departments, and agencies of government are directed to take a roll call of all those who came to work and return same to the Office of the Head of Service before 11 am today, May 30, 2024. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

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It would be recalled that almost one year ago, Governor Peter Mbah engaged the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in a similar fisticuff which resulted in many casualties, including deaths and paralysis of social-economic activities.

The government gave the warning in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka, yesterday, in Enugu.

Aka said there was no room for illegal IPOB activities in the state and urged the residents and pupils to go about their exams and normal activities today, assuring them of adequate security.

He said the state government noted with deep concern, the statement credited to IPOB directing WAEC to postpone the General Mathematics (Theory and Objectives) examinations scheduled for May 30, the day IPOB designated as “Biafra Heroes Day.”

He said: “We note with particular concern IPOB’s statement that the WAEC board should not endanger the lives of students because the day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory.

“This is unacceptable to us, not only because of the well-known position of the Enugu State government on illegal sit-at-home orders, which have dealt a great blow to the socio-economic life and fortunes of the South-East region but also because of the far-reaching consequences of a whole generation of Enugu children failing to sit for a fundamental subject such as Mathematics in one year.”

The commissioner stressed that Igbo excel on the wings of industry, education, and human capital development, saying that any pronouncement or action that tends to deny the children their rights to education, which is their ticket to the future, was offensive.

He said the Igbo founding fathers and fallen heroes, who must be turning in their graves, would be wondering what could have happened to the Igbo as a people.

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Kyari: I Served with the Fear of God and Am Ready to Account for My Stewardship

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Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), has stated that he conducted his service with a deep sense of reverence for God.

Following a significant reshuffle within the oil corporation, various reports have emerged concerning Kyari’s tenure.

One such report revealed that N80 billion was discovered in the account of a recently dismissed Managing Director of one of the refineries who was under Kyari’s leadership.

Bayo Ojulari, Kyari’s successor, has initiated a major restructuring that has resulted in the departure of numerous individuals who served alongside him.

Additionally, there have been allegations of corruption during Kyari’s administration.

In response to rumors suggesting that he was in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kyari indicated that he had received numerous calls from concerned friends and family regarding the unfounded claims.

He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria with integrity and expressed his readiness to account for his actions.

“In recent days, particularly in the last couple of hours, I have been overwhelmed with calls from worried family and friends regarding an online newspaper’s assertion that I am in EFCC custody,” Kyari stated.

“This is a blatant act of mischief and a deliberate attempt by the publication and its backers to achieve an undisclosed aim.

“Currently, I am enjoying a well-deserved break following the dissolution of the NNPCL management and board, where I held the position of Group Chief Executive.

“It is important to note that after dedicating 34 years to NNPC and subsequently NNPCL—17 of which were in management positions, including the last five years and nine months—I rarely had time for even a two-week vacation.

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“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve under the leadership of Their Excellencies, Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I must stress that I served with the fear of God, fully aware that, as a Muslim, I will eventually account for my actions before Allah, should I fail to do so before man. Thus, I welcome the chance to explain my stewardship in this world.”

Kyari cautioned that misleading narratives about his tenure could negatively impact investor confidence and the perception of the international community.

“In this context, I urge the media to exercise caution and refrain from being rushed into disseminating unverified information or issues that require further investigation by the appropriate authorities.”

“I sincerely appreciate my family and friends who have reached out to me or attempted to do so, and I assure them that I am open to addressing all legitimate inquiries,” he concluded.

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Group Warns Factional NANS President Against Targeting President’s Son

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By Abubakar Yunusa

The Coordinator of the Conference of Patriotic Nigerians (COPAN), Barrister Uchenna Odieli, has issued a stern warning to the factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, urging him not to allow politicians to manipulate him into targeting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement sent to Elanza News on Friday night, Odieli, who described himself as a stakeholder in NANS, accused certain individuals of exploiting Isah to tarnish Seyi Tinubu’s reputation for political gain.

“If you contest an election and lose, you should go and rest. You must not be a NANS president,” Odieli said, questioning why Isah was allowing himself to be used to attack “an innocent man” simply because he is the president’s son.

Odieli defended Seyi Tinubu, describing him as a humble, well-mannered lawyer who has been unfairly vilified.

“I know Barr. Seyi Tinubu very well, not through tabloids or whispers, but through shared moments, quiet gestures, and the kind of humanity that doesn’t make the news,” he said.

“He is not perfect; none of us is. He is not a violent man, nor the monster being painted by those too eager to condemn.”

The COPAN coordinator expressed concern over what he described as a pattern of targeting Seyi Tinubu to gain public attention.

“What baffles me is that most of these charlatans do not know Seyi in person. They only see him from afar and have not had the opportunity to meet him one-on-one, but I know their game. Once one wants to be popular, the only gateway is to attack Seyi Tinubu,” Odieli stated.

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He called for restraint and urged the public to avoid “mob justice” in judging Seyi Tinubu.

“Justice must be blind, yes, but not deaf to truth or mercy. Let the facts come forth, let the law take its course, but let us not forget that the son of the president is still a son, a brother, and a human being,” Odieli said, appealing for a fair and measured approach.

Odieli further praised Seyi Tinubu’s character, describing him as a “soft-spoken gentleman” trained in the Western world, who strives to maintain dignity despite the pressures of his family name.

“Seyi is a very kind man, well-behaved, well-trained. Violence is not his way, so you should stop pouring your frustration on Seyi,” he added.

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Of Stupidity, Show Of Shame And Shenanigans 2.

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It has been a full week of listening to Politricktians struggling to defend the indefensible. I have watched some struggle to present purely self-seeking and egocentric predilections and decisions as altruistic and popular. The usual lie told when politicians decamp from one Party to another was rife in the news-wave. It was repeated every so often they were confronted with ‘why did you decamp to a Party you had mocked and described as soulless and directionless?”. And the lies would come streaming with shameless Olympic stupidity and shenanigans unbridled.

If your reason for moving from the PDP to the APC is to connect Delta State to the Centre ditto to Abuja, who Abuja elp? How has the Partisan affinity or connection with Abuja helped Lagos State? How has it benefitted Benue State? How has it made life better for the people in Bornu State? And how has the lot of the people in Imo State improved? The States here in reference are APC States, and are badly messed up.

Since 1999 Lagos State has never had it so bad, Lagos State for instance fared better when it wasn’t in partisan sync with the centre. No sane person can compare Tinubu’s term as Governor of Lagos State with Sanwo-Olu’s, none can compare Fashola’s, or Ambode’s one term, albeit as opposition Governors with the most lethargic and uneventful watch that Lagos State has produced in the last 26 years Sanwo-Olu’s connect with Abuja notwithstanding. Lagos is presently experiencing it’s worst leadership deficit and lethargy in 26 years, but Sanwo-Olu is not the trust of this piece, so I will let him be, but I shall return to substantiate my position, if his spin-doctors provoke me.

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To the States of Bornu, Benue and Imo, the vouched partisan affinity with Abuja is a curse more than a blessing. Bornu and Benue are theatres of unmitigated security challenges. I won’t mention Jos, Plateau so Partisans wouldn’t challenge me that Plateau State is PDP. However, in today’s Nigeria most of the States troubled silly with insecurity are APC States. Human barbecues are dished with reckless abandon by the Haramists and Herders, and Abuja has done little to help, it has been more words and little action. All the people see, read and know is the blood soaked and blood stained mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Party. The APC has failed them like it has failed most Nigerians, so the people who decamped from the PDP to the APC in Delta State should stop telling stupid lies of how a contrived partisan sync with Abuja will benefit Delta State, that na big lie. The truth is that that decision of theirs is absolutely self-seeking, egotistic and individualistic, it was a shenanigans shameless and utterly soulless.

Is Imo an example of a State benefitting from her partisan sync with Abuja? I beg make I laugh small. And to make matters worse they call Governor Hope Uzodinma the Chairman of the Unprogressive, oh sorry, Progressive Governor’s Forum. That means that Hope Uzodinma is the Chairman of the Forum of APC Governors. I beg ask Ndi’Imo how market? Now Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is an APC Governor, and I hear that Pastor Eno of Akwa Ibom is joining soon. If no be craze, how will a Governor wey dey try small go go join Party wey the Governor wey no dey try at all, go be im Chairman? What in today’s Nigeria is testament to the laudable rule of the APC? And why is the APC attractive to the defectors streaming into the Party? I am committed to telling all I know, and more in the sequel to this piece, yes Part 3 dey come.

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I am committed to making sure that each of this series is short and reader friendly. However, I will not conclude this without calling out Nigerians to consistently interrogate Public Office Holders and Political Operators, we must understand that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and we must refuse to drink from the poisoned chalice of deceit, falsehood, and debauchery that self-serving Politricktians wield. And we must say no to their lies, half truths and mendacity.

Compatriots, those defending the egocentric and self-seeking defection of the Delta State Governor and his Team from the PDP to the APC are smart by half. And to those wondering whether we can effectively organize to stop the rudderless APC, the gail of defections notwithstanding, I bring great hope. Yes, there is enough time to perfect and pull through with the needed coalition to defeat the underperforming APC in 2027. Do not forget that Peter Obi didn’t have a State Governor when the Labour Party won the election in 2023. Tinubu didn’t win the majority of the total votes cast when INEC declared him winner, and having failed, as he continues to outperform Buhari in failure, the hail of defections will only deepen the Tinubu rejection.

Do not forget that Delta State was home to the Obidient Movement in 2023, and still is. Do not also forget that Okowa, Sheriff Oborevwori and the PDP machinery was roundly trounced and defeated by the Obidient Movement/Labour Party at the Presidential polls in Delta State in 2023, and that it took the Obidients rejecting Senator Ovie Omo-agege for Oborevwori to emerge Governor in 2023. May the Proud, the Arrogant and the Boastful use their tongue count their teeth, e no far again.

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Delta State in 2027 offers a beautiful turf for the replay of the contest between the Peoples Power, and the Power of the men in power. Indeed, 2027 will be a Ballot Based People’s Revolution deeper and more effective than what happened in 2023. Take note that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC are consistently their own greatest undoing, not with Buhari’s colossal failure becoming Child’s play compared with Tinubu’s uneventful and Olympic failure.

Folks, we shall coalesce and unite to make Tinubu a One-Term President, that’s the least duty we owe Nigeria.

I shall return very soon with Part 3, but before then, please stay safe and protect yourselves, ‘no be me talk am, na one Oga DSS dem say na im talk am.’

God Bless Nigeria.

Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.

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