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Sit-at-home: WASSCE peaceful in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu
The sit at home order by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) was partially observed in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states as some residents went about their normal businesses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IPOB had designated every May 30, as “Biafra Hero Day Remembrance”, ordering people of the South-East to respect and observe the day by staying at home.
They called for total lockdown in the region including students sitting for the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
NAN correspondents, who monitored the level of compliance in some parts of the zone reports that there was partial compliance as some residents obeyed the order while others went about their normal businesses
In spite of few vehicular movements, students were able to sit for their mathematics examination slated for the day.
NAN also reports that state civil servants and public schools went about their normal activities while some streets, markets and shops were deserted amidst heavy presence of security agencies.
An SS3 student in Enugu, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that they went to school and those writing their Senior Secondary School Examination also sat for their exams.
The student however, regretted that most of them who were day students slept in the examination hall a day before the exam to enable them write for it.
“We wrote general mathematics both theory and objectives today. Many of us that are day students slept in the classrooms to avoid missing the examination due to the sit at home order.
“As you can see, we are done with the examination and we are going back home to meet with our families,” she said.
Another student in Awka, Anambra capital, said that they walked to school in groups to meet up with the examination and nothing happened.
She stressed the need for parents to enrol their children in schools close to their homes in case of such eventuality.
Some civil servants in Enugu said that they went to work in line with government directives but met empty offices.
Another civil servant who work outskirts of the Enugu capital, told NAN that he came out early in the morning but could not see a vehicle to convey her to the community where he was working.
“I came out early this morning but there was no vehicle. I am worried because government said every civil servant must come to work today.
“I am going home, I cannot kill myself over what is not my fault,” he said sadly.
Meanwhile, some traders said they did not open in order to respect the Biafran fallen heroes.
They recalled the huge sacrifices these men and women from the region went through for the entire people of the Igbo region.
Mr Chukwuemeka Ifeanyi, said Biafra fallen soldiers and others killed in the course of ensuring Igbo freedom deserved the respect and honour.
“I don’t want to risk my life, so I am at home celebrating the day with my friends,” he said.
It was a similar situation in Ebonyi as the streets and markets were deserted with very few shops opened for businesses.
NAN reports that the WASSCE also held in most schools without any recorded incidents in the state.
A government official who preferred anonymity, said that they had not received any outbreak of law and order in any part of the state.
NAN equally reports that the state governments had on May 29, urged parents and students to disregard the order, assuring them of their safety. (NAN)
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has engaged in a high-level security meeting with a leading Chinese manufacturer of advanced anti-terrorism and high-tech defence equipment, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
The meeting, which took place in China, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the nation’s security apparatus to combat insurgency and other threats.
According to a statement signed by the minister’s Personal Assistant (Media), Ahmad Dan-Wudil, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the engagement focused on formalising a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese firm and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s security sector, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s defence framework.
The MoU outlines a robust partnership, with the Chinese company committing to significant investments in Nigeria’s defence infrastructure.
According to the statement, Key components of the agreement include the transfer of cutting-edge defence technology, the establishment of local manufacturing capabilities for advanced military equipment, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the technical skills of Nigerian personnel.
“This move is seen as a step towards building a self-reliant and globally competitive military-industrial base.
Dr. Matawalle emphasised that the partnership represents a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s defence modernisation agenda.
“This collaboration will not only strengthen our fight against terrorism but also position Nigeria as a regional leader in defence technology,” he stated.
The minister highlighted the government’s determination to leverage international partnerships to address the nation’s evolving security challenges.
Under the terms of the agreement, new production lines will be established for various ammunition types, including 7.62x51mm ball cartridges, 7.62x51mm blank cartridges, 9x19mm pistol cartridges, and machine gun ammunition.
Additionally, manufacturing workshops and facilities will be set up in Kaduna and Kachia, Kaduna State, to produce essential defence components such as brass casings and bullet jackets.
The partnership extends beyond production, encompassing the maintenance and upgrading of existing military hardware, servicing of battle tanks, and the provision of military engineering services.
These efforts are expected to enhance the operational readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, enabling them to respond more effectively to security threats within the country and across the region.
The minister’s visit to China follows a series of engagements with international partners, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, as part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to strengthen bilateral defence ties.
In a recent meeting with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dr. Matawalle called for increased support in intelligence sharing and counterterrorism efforts, underscoring the need for global cooperation to tackle insecurity.
The agreement with the Chinese firm has been hailed as a critical step towards achieving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises security, economic development, and private-sector involvement.
The minister reiterated the government’s openness to foreign investment in critical sectors such as defence, steel, and energy to drive technological advancement and job creation.
Gamblers are staking millions of dollars to predict who will emerge as new pope as betting sites place odds on the candidates as the Catholic Church cardinals sweat to pick a new pontiff.
Polymarket, an American cryptocurrency-based betting site, has placed odds on candidates who will emerge.
Similarly, Kalshi, another American betting site, is coordinating predictions on who emerges as the new Catholic pope.
On Polymarket, over $21 million worth of bets have been staked in the conclave election, in which Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the leading candidates.
Mr Parolin leads with 27 per cent odds, while Mr Tagle comes second with 23 per cent odds. Matteo Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Peter Erdo came third, fourth and fifth with 11, 10 and 7 per cent odds, respectively.
On Kalshi, where over $8milliom has been staked, Mr Parolin leads with 29 per cent odds, followed by Mr Tagle’s 22 per cent odds and Mr Pizzaballa’s 10 per cent odds.
This comes as 133 cardinals from across the globe commenced a conclave to decide who would emerge as the new pope on Thursday.
Though conclave elections have been highly unpredictable for years, gamblers throw in thousands of dollars for a possible kill should their candidate emerge.
In 2013, contrary to projections on the possible emergence of Cardinal Angelo Scola, who was then regarded as the favourite, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerged as Pope Francis.
On Wednesday, thick black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel chimney at the end of the first meeting of the cardinals, signalling that no pope has been elected.
The election of the 267th pope, which commenced on Wednesday. A new pope will poll a two-thirds majority to emerge during the election process.
Then, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
President Bola Tinubu has mandated the formation of a Presidential Task Force aimed at eliminating numerous checkpoints that impede free movement.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, revealed this initiative during a visit to the Nigeria-Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.
“We are commencing with the Seme-Badagry Corridor. A committee has been established under the auspices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon begin addressing this matter.
“We have taken note of all the concerns raised, and I assure you that the Nigerian government will tackle the other issues mentioned subsequently.”
Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding the excessive checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which adversely affect the seamless movement of individuals and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.
Ambassador Nuhu emphasized, “This is the most trafficked border in West Africa regarding the flow of goods, people, and services. If free movement is to be effectively implemented in West Africa, it will be evident at this border.”
Motorists attending the meeting expressed their frustrations about the numerous checkpoints and the extortion practices by security personnel along the route.
In response, Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, stated that any fees paid by motorists should be accompanied by official receipts.
He expressed concern that the proliferation of checkpoints and the extortion of citizens within member states undermine ECOWAS’s goal of fostering a more integrated region.
“While we must inspect passengers and road users, we should move beyond arbitrary charges that lack receipts. If payments are necessary, they should be properly documented.
“It is one thing to request that someone open their bags for inspection, but it is entirely different to demand payment that is not receipted.”