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Foreign travellers who break the new rules will be fined $1,000 a day, as cases surge across the US.

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The Houston Rockets' season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder has been postponed because the Rockets are unable to field enough players.

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The film industry is hoping it will be high-profile rather than low-key after such a tough year.

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Protests are continuing in India over new laws which farmers say will damage their livelihoods.

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While this is a "critical step forward" seed potatoes are not included due to EU regulatory fears.

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Families in five countries explain how their plans have changed and how they're staying upbeat.

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As a Christmas first-timer, Mohammad Hussain shared his unique perspective on the holiday on Twitter.

Hundreds of couples were married in a mass wedding on Friday, December 18, 2020 at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Uzoakwa, Ihiala, Anambra State despite concerns over the spread of the coronavirus virus.

About 5,000 people from around the world gathered to join the festivities and celebrate as the 200 new couples got married.

Speaking at the event, Most Reverend Michael Ukpong described a proper marriage as one that shows unity in Christ and the church.

He reminded the couples that the union is a journey of no-return and therefore, they should abide by the promises made to each other. He urged the grooms to love their wives and implored the brides to obey and respect their husbands.

Anambra State Governor’s wife, Dr. Ebelechukwu Obiano, represented by the Transition Committee Chairman of the Ihiala Local Government Area, Mr. Jude Obiwuru, described the wedding as a great thing aimed at channelling the minds of the couples to raising Godly children.

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Hundreds of couples were married in a mass wedding on Friday, December 18, 2020 at Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Uzoakwa, Ihiala, Anambra State despite concerns over the spread of the coronavirus virus.

About 5,000 people from around the world gathered to join the festivities and celebrate as the 200 new couples got married.

Speaking at the event, Most Reverend Michael Ukpong described a proper marriage as one that shows unity in Christ and the church.

He reminded the couples that the union is a journey of no-return and therefore, they should abide by the promises made to each other. He urged the grooms to love their wives and implored the brides to obey and respect their husbands.

Anambra State Governor’s wife, Dr. Ebelechukwu Obiano, represented by the Transition Committee Chairman of the Ihiala Local Government Area, Mr. Jude Obiwuru, described the wedding as a great thing aimed at channelling the minds of the couples to raising Godly children.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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A computer programmer, Michael Imoleayo, who was arrested on November 13, 2020 for supporting the recent #EndSARS protests that rocked the nation has been released.

SaharaReporters gathered that Imoleayo was granted bail on Wednesday, 40 days after he was whisked away from his house in Abuja.

Michael Imoleayo

Though Michael was not on the streets of Abuja during the #EndSARS protest in the city, his tweets showed that he had been openly critical of bad governance in Nigeria and was in support of the protest.

According to his wife, Titilayo, about 20 armed men were at their house around 2:30am, interrogated the computer programmer and took him away.

Recalling how her husband was taken away, she said, "The footsteps sounded like people matching in twos. I peeped from the window, but I didn't notice the uniform at first, I just saw men with guns. Michael woke up when they came as the dogs were barking.”

Titilayo said her husband blew his whistle to inform the whole compound about the development.

"When he blew the whistle, the armed men said from outside, 'You people should not try anything funny, you are outnumbered, just calm down, we are here for questioning.

"We switched on the light and peeped again, we saw that there were up to 20 armed men in our compound.

"They spoke to us again, then one of them tore our window net with his gun. The window was half open. He pointed the gun inside from the burglarproof. He said, 'You guys should just come out, we are not here to harm you. If you don't come out, we are going to fire.

"When we got outside, the soldiers, who were dressed in camouflage, had surrounded the whole house. 

"One of the men in plain clothes was on the two-seater very close to my husband; he was telling him things. I tried to move closer to hear what he was saying but two of those armed men came in between us and pointed the gun at me to tell me to move back,” she said.

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A computer programmer, Michael Imoleayo, who was arrested on November 13, 2020 for supporting the recent #EndSARS protests that rocked the nation has been released.

SaharaReporters gathered that Imoleayo was granted bail on Wednesday, 40 days after he was whisked away from his house in Abuja.

Michael Imoleayo

Though Michael was not on the streets of Abuja during the #EndSARS protest in the city, his tweets showed that he had been openly critical of bad governance in Nigeria and was in support of the protest.

According to his wife, Titilayo, about 20 armed men were at their house around 2:30am, interrogated the computer programmer and took him away.

Recalling how her husband was taken away, she said, "The footsteps sounded like people matching in twos. I peeped from the window, but I didn't notice the uniform at first, I just saw men with guns. Michael woke up when they came as the dogs were barking.”

Titilayo said her husband blew his whistle to inform the whole compound about the development.

"When he blew the whistle, the armed men said from outside, 'You people should not try anything funny, you are outnumbered, just calm down, we are here for questioning.

"We switched on the light and peeped again, we saw that there were up to 20 armed men in our compound.

"They spoke to us again, then one of them tore our window net with his gun. The window was half open. He pointed the gun inside from the burglarproof. He said, 'You guys should just come out, we are not here to harm you. If you don't come out, we are going to fire.

"When we got outside, the soldiers, who were dressed in camouflage, had surrounded the whole house. 

"One of the men in plain clothes was on the two-seater very close to my husband; he was telling him things. I tried to move closer to hear what he was saying but two of those armed men came in between us and pointed the gun at me to tell me to move back,” she said.

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The Kaduna State Government has said 12 persons have died while 25 others were injured on Kaduna-Abuja Road after a fatal accident.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

The commissioner attributed the accident to speeding, road defects, and drivers' non-compliance with traffic rules. 

Aruwan said a crane was deployed to retrieve two dead bodies mutilated and trapped underneath the wreckage of the trailer.

The statement reads, "Twelve (12) persons were killed in the crash, with 25 injured, who are now receiving treatment in hospital. Several livestock also perished in the accident. 

"The Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, today led extensive patrols along the Kaduna-Abuja highway to enforce compliance with the ban on driving against the direction of traffic. 

"The scene of the crash has been cleared up, and security agencies have ensured there is normal movement of traffic along the route."

He said the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, expressed sadness over the fatal accident, adding that he had also commiserated with the families of the deceased

The commissioner further quoted the governor as enjoining citizens plying the highway to desist from dangerous and potentially disastrous practices like speeding, overloading, reckless driving and driving against the flow of traffic, which was prohibited by the Kaduna State Government a week ago.

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The Kaduna State Government has said 12 persons have died while 25 others were injured on Kaduna-Abuja Road after a fatal accident.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

The commissioner attributed the accident to speeding, road defects, and drivers' non-compliance with traffic rules. 

Aruwan said a crane was deployed to retrieve two dead bodies mutilated and trapped underneath the wreckage of the trailer.

The statement reads, "Twelve (12) persons were killed in the crash, with 25 injured, who are now receiving treatment in hospital. Several livestock also perished in the accident. 

"The Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, today led extensive patrols along the Kaduna-Abuja highway to enforce compliance with the ban on driving against the direction of traffic. 

"The scene of the crash has been cleared up, and security agencies have ensured there is normal movement of traffic along the route."

He said the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, expressed sadness over the fatal accident, adding that he had also commiserated with the families of the deceased

The commissioner further quoted the governor as enjoining citizens plying the highway to desist from dangerous and potentially disastrous practices like speeding, overloading, reckless driving and driving against the flow of traffic, which was prohibited by the Kaduna State Government a week ago.

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The Ekiti State Government has imposed fresh restrictions on schools and religious centres to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state.

The state governor, Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this on Wednesday, while announcing new guidelines aimed at curbing the second wave of COVID-19.

Governor Fayemi

Among the new measures is the closure of schools and restriction of churches, mosques to holding only one service on worship days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The statement quoted the governor as saying the step became necessary to ensure that the situation would not get out of control.

The governor also directed that schools in the state would remain closed till January 18, 2021 while vigils, partying and clubbing have been suspended till further notice.

Fayemi also directed that civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below are to stay at home till January 18 when they would be given directive on when to resume.

The governor said only half of the full sitting capacity of any facility should be allowed to participate in any ceremony or programme at any time and activities should not exceed 8pm.

Fayemi said, “In addition, protocols regarding wedding and burial ceremonies remain in force. There should be no crowd in the church auditorium and burial services must be at the graveside only.

“Supermarkets, event centres, hotels and bar owners are to strictly ensure that social distancing measures are put in place and followed accordingly.

“Only half of the full sitting capacity of a facility can be allowed to participate in any ceremony/programme at any point and activities should not exceed 8pm. Partying, clubbing and vigils are suspended indefinitely until further notice.

“To ensure that things do not snowball out of control, we have given strict instructions to the taskforce and law enforcement agents to begin aggressive compliance enforcement activities in public places, including worship centres, event centres, markets, supermarkets, bars and hotels.

"Government will not hesitate to close down any facility indefinitely, and to prosecute operators of any public places, flouting the protocols.”

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The Ekiti State Government has imposed fresh restrictions on schools and religious centres to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state.

The state governor, Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this on Wednesday, while announcing new guidelines aimed at curbing the second wave of COVID-19.

Governor Fayemi

Among the new measures is the closure of schools and restriction of churches, mosques to holding only one service on worship days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The statement quoted the governor as saying the step became necessary to ensure that the situation would not get out of control.

The governor also directed that schools in the state would remain closed till January 18, 2021 while vigils, partying and clubbing have been suspended till further notice.

Fayemi also directed that civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below are to stay at home till January 18 when they would be given directive on when to resume.

The governor said only half of the full sitting capacity of any facility should be allowed to participate in any ceremony or programme at any time and activities should not exceed 8pm.

Fayemi said, “In addition, protocols regarding wedding and burial ceremonies remain in force. There should be no crowd in the church auditorium and burial services must be at the graveside only.

“Supermarkets, event centres, hotels and bar owners are to strictly ensure that social distancing measures are put in place and followed accordingly.

“Only half of the full sitting capacity of a facility can be allowed to participate in any ceremony/programme at any point and activities should not exceed 8pm. Partying, clubbing and vigils are suspended indefinitely until further notice.

“To ensure that things do not snowball out of control, we have given strict instructions to the taskforce and law enforcement agents to begin aggressive compliance enforcement activities in public places, including worship centres, event centres, markets, supermarkets, bars and hotels.

"Government will not hesitate to close down any facility indefinitely, and to prosecute operators of any public places, flouting the protocols.”

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The Ogun State Government has sacked an executive member of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Aisha Olufunke Ajibola, for talking about the welfare of members of the association in a radio interview.

The nurse who worked at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital was sacked on November 25, 2020.

Governor Dapo Abiodun

Speaking to SaharaReporters, Ajibola described the termination of her appointment by OOUTH management for speaking out against injustice as victimisation. 

She said, “I never had any misunderstanding with anyone during that period because I earnestly discharged my duties. I was surprised that I am now being subjected to various physical, psychological and financial assaults by Mrs Enaholo, Director of Nursing Services (DDNS) and Mr Awoyomi A. A., Director of Administration (DA), over the nursing association matter that required justice.

“Everything was fine before I became the unit NANNM treasurer, state UGONSA (University Graduates of Nursing Science Association) secretary and unit chairman. Immediately I was elected as unit NANNM treasurer and on assumption of office, handing over was done but without any documents like income and expenditure book, vouchers and imprest book.

“Then I requested for them, but after that time, they took me as an enemy and treated me badly, which prompted me to petition Mrs Ogundein for threatening to slap me. Then, I was removed from the nurses’ WhatsApp platform on the 23rd of August 2019, thereby cutting me off from other members who voted for me because I complained about not being allowed to ask questions after enduring three and a half hours in a meeting in which DDNS Enaholo and CNO Adekambi were shouting at me.

“All my life, justice for nurses is what I have always agitated for, and that has put me in danger and in their black book. The National NANNM president was invited and he instructed the DDNS Enaholo, state NANNM chairman, Mrs Solarin and unit NANNM chairman, Mrs Ogundehin, to return me to OOUTH nurses’ WhatsApp platform. But since the 22nd of April, 2020 that the president has instructed them to do that, they have refused to do so till now. 

“The victimisation continued after DDNS Enaholo threatened me for agitating for justice for our nurses and directed some elders to call my husband to warn me to keep shut on CNO case, but my husband did not accept to suppress my good intentions for nurses.

“Going forward, in September and October 2020, I decided to defend Nurse Prince Tega, who was being victimised for partaking in a legitimate strike action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress and NANNM. I tried to beg the NANNM unit to intervene in the matter and free Prince.

“On 5th October, I was invited for an online radio interview programmme on our own radio station, Nurses Arise Radio, about my activism and unionism life and my impact in people's lives. Tega's issue was raised and I said the truth about his case for justice to reign though I was still recuperating from a surgical operation.

“I was surprised to be given a query letter on 3rd November, 2020 by Mr A. A. Awoyomi, the Director of Administration, for granting an interview on the nurses’ online radio programme to discuss nurses’ association issues as they affect our members.”

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The Ogun State Government has sacked an executive member of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Aisha Olufunke Ajibola, for talking about the welfare of members of the association in a radio interview.

The nurse who worked at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital was sacked on November 25, 2020.

Governor Dapo Abiodun

Speaking to SaharaReporters, Ajibola described the termination of her appointment by OOUTH management for speaking out against injustice as victimisation. 

She said, “I never had any misunderstanding with anyone during that period because I earnestly discharged my duties. I was surprised that I am now being subjected to various physical, psychological and financial assaults by Mrs Enaholo, Director of Nursing Services (DDNS) and Mr Awoyomi A. A., Director of Administration (DA), over the nursing association matter that required justice.

“Everything was fine before I became the unit NANNM treasurer, state UGONSA (University Graduates of Nursing Science Association) secretary and unit chairman. Immediately I was elected as unit NANNM treasurer and on assumption of office, handing over was done but without any documents like income and expenditure book, vouchers and imprest book.

“Then I requested for them, but after that time, they took me as an enemy and treated me badly, which prompted me to petition Mrs Ogundein for threatening to slap me. Then, I was removed from the nurses’ WhatsApp platform on the 23rd of August 2019, thereby cutting me off from other members who voted for me because I complained about not being allowed to ask questions after enduring three and a half hours in a meeting in which DDNS Enaholo and CNO Adekambi were shouting at me.

“All my life, justice for nurses is what I have always agitated for, and that has put me in danger and in their black book. The National NANNM president was invited and he instructed the DDNS Enaholo, state NANNM chairman, Mrs Solarin and unit NANNM chairman, Mrs Ogundehin, to return me to OOUTH nurses’ WhatsApp platform. But since the 22nd of April, 2020 that the president has instructed them to do that, they have refused to do so till now. 

“The victimisation continued after DDNS Enaholo threatened me for agitating for justice for our nurses and directed some elders to call my husband to warn me to keep shut on CNO case, but my husband did not accept to suppress my good intentions for nurses.

“Going forward, in September and October 2020, I decided to defend Nurse Prince Tega, who was being victimised for partaking in a legitimate strike action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress and NANNM. I tried to beg the NANNM unit to intervene in the matter and free Prince.

“On 5th October, I was invited for an online radio interview programmme on our own radio station, Nurses Arise Radio, about my activism and unionism life and my impact in people's lives. Tega's issue was raised and I said the truth about his case for justice to reign though I was still recuperating from a surgical operation.

“I was surprised to be given a query letter on 3rd November, 2020 by Mr A. A. Awoyomi, the Director of Administration, for granting an interview on the nurses’ online radio programme to discuss nurses’ association issues as they affect our members.”

Free Speech PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has replied to a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, saying he would not touch the money he made from people in the guise of helping Leah Sharibu, who was abducted by Boko Haram.

Shehu said on his official Twitter handle while reacting to the Omokri’s challenge to give him $20,000 if he would sleep in Kware in Sokoto State or Koshobe in Borno State without security. Kware and Koshobe are known to be strongholds of bandits and terrorists respectively.

Garba Shehu

“If this is the money from the collections made in the name of Leah Sharibu, the unfortunate Christian girl stolen by Boko Haram, I won’t touch it with a long. Please keep “your USD20000 (sic).” Shehu tweeted. 

Omokri had earlier said he would offer the presidential spokesman $20,000,  approximately N7.8m.

He wrote on Twitter, “Garba Shehu said Buhari has made Nigeria safer. I vow to pay him $20,000 if he will spend a night without security in Koshobe, or Kware, verified by an independent journalist. I will give the funds to Dele Momodu when he accepts to go.”

See Also Politics Reno Omokri Vows To Give Presidential Aide $20,000 To Sleep In Troubled Nigerian Town 0 Comments 4 Hours Ago

Shehu had claimed that the country had been made safer by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Leah Sharibu was among the 110 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 2018. Five of them did not survive the ordeal and Leah, a Christian, was not released along with others because she refused to convert to Islam.

Omokri later wrote a book titled ‘Leah Sharibu: The Girl Boko Haram Left Behind.’

“You will be shocked at the great cover-up by the Buhari administration when you read this book,” Omokri said about the publication.  He also introduced custom-made ‘Free Leah Sharibu’ T-shirts said to be sold between N30,000 and N100,000, which were bought by some notable Nigerians.

There were allegations that he profited generously from the plight of Leah Sharibu and he was subsequently attacked by Nigerians on social media. The allegations led to the trending of #RenoUndarted on Twitter.

Omokri, however, denied the allegations, saying all the proceeds from the book and T-shirts were sent to Leah Sharibu’s parents.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has replied to a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, saying he would not touch the money he made from people in the guise of helping Leah Sharibu, who was abducted by Boko Haram.

Shehu said on his official Twitter handle while reacting to the Omokri’s challenge to give him $20,000 if he would sleep in Kware in Sokoto State or Koshobe in Borno State without security. Kware and Koshobe are known to be strongholds of bandits and terrorists respectively.

Garba Shehu

“If this is the money from the collections made in the name of Leah Sharibu, the unfortunate Christian girl stolen by Boko Haram, I won’t touch it with a long. Please keep “your USD20000 (sic).” Shehu tweeted. 

Omokri had earlier said he would offer the presidential spokesman $20,000,  approximately N7.8m.

He wrote on Twitter, “Garba Shehu said Buhari has made Nigeria safer. I vow to pay him $20,000 if he will spend a night without security in Koshobe, or Kware, verified by an independent journalist. I will give the funds to Dele Momodu when he accepts to go.”

See Also Politics Reno Omokri Vows To Give Presidential Aide $20,000 To Sleep In Troubled Nigerian Town 0 Comments 4 Hours Ago

Shehu had claimed that the country had been made safer by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Leah Sharibu was among the 110 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 2018. Five of them did not survive the ordeal and Leah, a Christian, was not released along with others because she refused to convert to Islam.

Omokri later wrote a book titled ‘Leah Sharibu: The Girl Boko Haram Left Behind.’

“You will be shocked at the great cover-up by the Buhari administration when you read this book,” Omokri said about the publication.  He also introduced custom-made ‘Free Leah Sharibu’ T-shirts said to be sold between N30,000 and N100,000, which were bought by some notable Nigerians.

There were allegations that he profited generously from the plight of Leah Sharibu and he was subsequently attacked by Nigerians on social media. The allegations led to the trending of #RenoUndarted on Twitter.

Omokri, however, denied the allegations, saying all the proceeds from the book and T-shirts were sent to Leah Sharibu’s parents.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3doaLWN

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has replied to a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, saying he would not touch the money he made from people in the guise of helping Leah Sharibu, who was abducted by Boko Haram.

Shehu said on his official Twitter handle while reacting to the Omokri’s challenge to give him $20,000 if he would sleep in Kware in Sokoto State or Koshobe in Borno State without security. Kware and Koshobe are known to be strongholds of bandits and terrorists respectively.

Garba Shehu

“If this is the money from the collections made in the name of Leah Sharibu, the unfortunate Christian girl stolen by Boko Haram, I won’t touch it with a long. Please keep “your USD20000 (sic).” Shehu tweeted. 

Omokri had earlier said he would offer the presidential spokesman $20,000,  approximately N7.8m.

He wrote on Twitter, “Garba Shehu said Buhari has made Nigeria safer. I vow to pay him $20,000 if he will spend a night without security in Koshobe, or Kware, verified by an independent journalist. I will give the funds to Dele Momodu when he accepts to go.”

See Also Politics Reno Omokri Vows To Give Presidential Aide $20,000 To Sleep In Troubled Nigerian Town 0 Comments 4 Hours Ago

Shehu had claimed that the country had been made safer by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Leah Sharibu was among the 110 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in Dapchi, Yobe State on February 19, 2018. Five of them did not survive the ordeal and Leah, a Christian, was not released along with others because she refused to convert to Islam.

Omokri later wrote a book titled ‘Leah Sharibu: The Girl Boko Haram Left Behind.’

“You will be shocked at the great cover-up by the Buhari administration when you read this book,” Omokri said about the publication.  He also introduced custom-made ‘Free Leah Sharibu’ T-shirts said to be sold between N30,000 and N100,000, which were bought by some notable Nigerians.

There were allegations that he profited generously from the plight of Leah Sharibu and he was subsequently attacked by Nigerians on social media. The allegations led to the trending of #RenoUndarted on Twitter.

Omokri, however, denied the allegations, saying all the proceeds from the book and T-shirts were sent to Leah Sharibu’s parents.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Today makes it twenty-one years since Comrade Ola Oni passed on. He was one of the greatest leaders and teachers on the Nigerian Left, from the '60s till his death. He, along with Eskor Toyo, Baba Omojola and others split from the Socialist Workers and Farmers Party in Augsut 1964 (i.e., a year and four months after SWAFP was formed) to form the Nigeria Labour Party under the leadership of Michael Imoudu (Labour Leader #1).

Both SWAFP and the NLP would be smashed by the military juntas (first of General Aguinyi Ironsi's for just 6 months but more so by General Yakubu Gowon's which lasted 9 years), as all partisan formations were repressed. But the tendency they had formed would continue in different forms (as well as SWAFP's till the early '90s) till the early 2000s.

Baba Aiye

With elections on the horizons for the establishment of a Second Republic in 1979, a series of two All-Nigeria Socialist Conferences were organised in 1977 and 1978, with the primary aim of forming a united socialist party. That aim was not achieved. Two parties emerged - both were never registered. And many others ended up on an entryist basis in some of the reformist parties that emerged, particularly the social-democratic UPN and GNPP and the radical reformist PRP.

The two unregistered socialist parties were the Socialist Working People's Party (a reincarnation of SWAFP) and the Socialist Workers, Poor Farmers and Youth Party (simply SWP as acronym), with Ola Oni as its leader. 

SWP's Labour Education and Research Centre (similar to, but with a more clearly working-class thrust than the the earlier Nigerian Academy of Arts, Science and Technology which the trend had run in the 1970s after dissolution of the NLP) conducted several forms of educational activities for workers. 

It was also a major centre for student activists to get involved in working-class education and organising work. These included the comrades from University of Ife and The Polytechnic who would form the Trotsyist Labour Militant in the mid-1970s.

The mid-80s did not only witness the foundations of lasting Trotstyist politics on the Nigerian Left (an earlier effort in the 60s had floundered). It was actually a period of reconstitution of the Nigerian socialist left. 

The Marxist-Leninist Left coalesced into two groups: the Socialist Congress (SCON, or simply SC) and eventually the Socialist Revolutionary Vanguard (SRV led by Ola Oni). It is to Oni's credit that whilst the SWAFP/SWPP trend fell off the cart at this turn around an historic corner, he kept the torch of continuity of his trend alive (albeit or rather with the drawing in of new, and at that time not so new - i.e., from the 70s as where the SC leading comrades - generation).

(Comrades from the SWAFP/SWPP heritage did try to regroup at the turn of the century as a Communist Party of Nigeria (COMPON) with barely a dozen cadres. These were fine revolutionaries no doubt. They had all passed through the firm organising hand of Wahab Goodluck (the leader of the SWAFP/SWPP trend along with Ibidapo Fatogun and S.U. Bassey). But, unlike Ola Oni’s trend, they had not been able to regenerate cadreship.

The death of Ibrahim Yusuf the COMPON Chair a few years back marked what was effectively the beginning of the end for an attempt to find a new beginning for that trend. And the painful loss this year, first of AbdulKareem “Xmakad” Motajo & then Joel Emereole might have sealed this.)

The 1990s was also a defining decade. The storm of struggle after the annulment of the “June 12”  

presidential election led many on the Left to ethno-nationalist politics. This, arguably started with Yoruba comrades in the south-west (O’odua Youth Movement, 1994; O’odua Peoples Congress, 1995; O’odua Liberation Movement, 1996 & YOREM, 1999) and then the Niger Delta (Pan-Niger Delta Resistance Movement – Chikoko Movement -, 1997 & Ijaw Youth Council, 1998).

Ola Oni was swept into this turn, becoming head of the Apapo Egbe omo O’odua (Coalition of -Left- O’dua groups). In the funeral oration I delivered on behalf of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria as we paid our last respects to him, I pointed out our reservation at this. It is however important not to take this last act in a very eventful revolutionary life as a denouement of class politics.

For Oni as with some of those on the Left who swung to this kind of nationalist politics, it was about addressing the national question frontally as an important aspect of the broader social question of class politics. I don’t agree with this. 

But it is to Ola Oni’s eternal credit that, unlike many who got rich through O’odua politics (which enabled alliances with the Yoruba bourgeois and with it the flowing in of hundreds of millions of naira, from Ilorin and Alausa for example), he chose not to benefit materially. One can’t deny that he acted on a principled basis, and not one of self-aggrandisement, even as one can equally argue that this principle could be considered flawed.

I think that turn for him represents a furtherance of entryism raised beyond tactic to a more strategic level. He had carried out entryism in the bourgeois social-democratic UPN when SWP was not registered, in the early 1980s. 

The entrance of hundreds of thousands of people into the struggle on a Yoruba ethnicist basis inspired many comrades in the south-west as a to see ethno-nationalist politics as a short-cut to massifying the movement for socialism in the long run whilst addressing the national question in the short-term. 

It was thus seen as entryism not in the traditional sense of work in a party or organisation, but of work in the Yoruba self-determination movement with Left organisations which then wittingly or unwittingly ended up in class collaboration with the bourgeois. 

As we remember Ola Oni today, I think great attention should be paid to preserving his monumental legacy. His home and bookshop at 6 Odeku Close was for several decades both home and the primary source for radical and revolutionary literature for many, if not most of us on the Left. The house now holds manuscripts of Baba Oni and invaluable records of meetings and movements.

His son, Tunde Oladapo Oni has tried, with the help of a few comrades like Dr Sola “Sola Mike” Olorunyomi to preserve these, including with digitalisation. But they are still not in the best of shape. A fire sometime back has also resulted in the loss of some of these materials, while the Comrade Ola Oni Centre for Social Research established in Osogbo when Rauf Aregbesola was governor has not really been of much help, to the best of my knowledge.

I am strongly of the view that comrades need to take the preservation of these materials, and indeed the wealth of materials being lost as we lose the great minds and leaders of our movement, as a project. I would suggest we task ourselves with work over the next four years to have this done, toward commemorating a quarter of a century of the exit of the great teacher and leader that Comrade Ola Oni was. 

We must celebrate our s/heroes. Their labours must not be in vain. Their legacies must be kept alive, and not just as mummified relics, but preserved in ways and manners that help nourish the struggles of today and generations to come, in the struggle for and building of socialism.

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Baba Aye Disable advertisements : 
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