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The Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has assured President Muhammadu Buhari that the South-East region will not disintegrate from the country despite the array of secessionist activities.

The group, however, urged the President to restore the sense of belonging in Nigeria which has lost especially in the region adding that equity, justice and fairness are needed to preserve the country.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo

Ohanaeze disclosed this in a statement read by its President-General, Prof. George Obiozor during the President's visit to Imo State to commission some projects executed by Governor Hope Uzodinma on Thursday.

Obiozor, while he lauded the nation's leader on some capital projects he achieved in the region such as second Niger Bridge, he still begged him on other aspects to look into.

He said, "Mr. President, in spite of all the threats of secessionism or separatism facing the country, there is no doubt that no secessionist element can succeed in Nigeria provided there is good governance based on equity, justice and fairness to all the citizens. Ndigbo are committed to Nigerian unity and there is news for those trying to push us out of Nigeria. Ndigbo in Nigeria are like fish in the ocean, no matter how rough the storm is, it cannot drive the fish out of the ocean.

"Mr. President, it is in this context, that we see a new dawn in your distinguished presence in Igboland and believe that on your return to Abuja the significance and substance of this visit will form a new foundation of a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues of concern to the Igbo Nation.

"Your Excellency, the most urgent and imperative need of Ndigbo today is security. The security of Ndigbo in Nigeria and beyond has become a compelling primary responsibility of serious concern for Ndigbo. Regrettably our South-East Zone has recently become a theatre of conflict, negating the peace-loving nature of our people.

"In this context Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for the establishment of a zonal and state police apparatus to support and complement the existing Federal Security architecture. It is in this same vein that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, appeals to you, Mr. President, to see to the release of Igbo youths detained by various security agencies across the country.

"Mr. President, we appreciate the infrastructural work being undertaken by the Federal Government in the South East such as the 2nd Niger bridge. It symbolises the unity and bridge across the various regions of the country.

"However, the South-East zone is in dire need of more infrastructure sponsored by the Federal Government amongst these are roads, bridges, railways and ports. It is the considered view of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, one that is also shared by the Igbo people that federal investments in these critical areas will revitalize the economy and will have the tangential effect of dousing the youth restiveness and unemployment in the zone.

 "In conclusion, Mr. President, nothing is more important to the Igbos in Nigeria today, more than the restoration of serious sense of belonging and the spirit of Nigeria’s founding fathers based on one nation, one destiny. And we believe this is possible through Devolution of Power ensuring a sense of balance in our political system.”

 

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The United Nations Mission in Nigeria has warned the Federal Government that the attacks by bandits on schools in the country put the future generations under threats.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, who raised alarm, noted that the collective future of Nigeria is under threat.

File photo used to illustrate story.

Edward, who warned the Federal Government on the dangers of attack on schools and abduction of students, condemned the incessant attacks on schools.

Edward made this known in a statement on the 2021 International Day to Protect Education from Attack, commemorated every 9 September.

The statement partly reads, “Attacks on schools are direct attack on the future generation, it is traumatic for the children, undermines their individual dignity, and sometimes leads affected families to withdraw them from education entirely.

“I strongly condemn every form of attack that has kept many children away from schools. I call on the Federal and State Governments to do more to protect schools from attack and to ensure that teaching and learning is safe and conducive in all schools in Nigeria,” he added.

“Whenever teaching and learning is disrupted, the impact on human capital development is enormous as the recovery period is always tortuous and longer than the length of the initial disruption.”

He explained that Nigeria cannot afford to leave the situation of incessant attacks on schools to remain unabated.

“Children are traumatised; parents are scared; teachers and school administrators are afraid; attacks on schools are gradually spreading to areas not known to insurgencies. With education under attack, the collective future of Nigeria is under threat. This must stop now.”

Kallon who explained that too often, the right to education fell under attack, especially in conflict-affected areas, where entire populations could be denied learning, encouraged the Federal Government to review progress made in implementing safe schools under the declaration and fully put into practice commitments made in 2019 by taking decisive action to protect education from attack and give this great nation’s children the chance to fulfill their promise.

“With over 10million children already out of school, conflict has aggravated the situation and deeply affected education and the prospects of many young people, especially its most vulnerable ones. In the last academic year, it is estimated that 1.3 million children have been impacted by attacks or abductions at schools in Nigeria.

“Across the north-east region alone, over 600,000 children remain out of school and some 1.1 million need educational support to stay in school. This has all been compounded by the setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

 

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The United Nations Mission in Nigeria has warned the Federal Government that the attacks by bandits on schools in the country put the future generations under threats.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon, who raised alarm, noted that the collective future of Nigeria is under threat.

File photo used to illustrate story.

Edward, who warned the Federal Government on the dangers of attack on schools and abduction of students, condemned the incessant attacks on schools.

Edward made this known in a statement on the 2021 International Day to Protect Education from Attack, commemorated every 9 September.

The statement partly reads, “Attacks on schools are direct attack on the future generation, it is traumatic for the children, undermines their individual dignity, and sometimes leads affected families to withdraw them from education entirely.

“I strongly condemn every form of attack that has kept many children away from schools. I call on the Federal and State Governments to do more to protect schools from attack and to ensure that teaching and learning is safe and conducive in all schools in Nigeria,” he added.

“Whenever teaching and learning is disrupted, the impact on human capital development is enormous as the recovery period is always tortuous and longer than the length of the initial disruption.”

He explained that Nigeria cannot afford to leave the situation of incessant attacks on schools to remain unabated.

“Children are traumatised; parents are scared; teachers and school administrators are afraid; attacks on schools are gradually spreading to areas not known to insurgencies. With education under attack, the collective future of Nigeria is under threat. This must stop now.”

Kallon who explained that too often, the right to education fell under attack, especially in conflict-affected areas, where entire populations could be denied learning, encouraged the Federal Government to review progress made in implementing safe schools under the declaration and fully put into practice commitments made in 2019 by taking decisive action to protect education from attack and give this great nation’s children the chance to fulfill their promise.

“With over 10million children already out of school, conflict has aggravated the situation and deeply affected education and the prospects of many young people, especially its most vulnerable ones. In the last academic year, it is estimated that 1.3 million children have been impacted by attacks or abductions at schools in Nigeria.

“Across the north-east region alone, over 600,000 children remain out of school and some 1.1 million need educational support to stay in school. This has all been compounded by the setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

 

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Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has commended the decision of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt which ruled that the Rivers State Government had the powers to collect Value Added Tax generated within its territory.

The group said the judgment of the court enhances true federalism and therefore advised the 36 states to step up carry out legal actions to be free from the actions and policies of the Federal Government.

Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in a statement on Thursday, said the Federal Inland Revenue Service was wrong for appealing the VAT judgment which actually brought more federalism to states.

The statement was titled, “PH Court’s Ruling On VAT Enhances True Federalism, Afenifere Says.”

Last month, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt in a judgment in suit number FHC/PH/CS/149/2020, held that the Rivers State Government had the powers to collect VAT within its territory.

Although the Federal Inland Revenue Service applied to the court for a stay of execution, Justice Stephen Pam rejected the application, saying granting it would negate the principle of equity.

Governor Nyesom Wike, who had  lamented the injustice in the country, had also revealed that  the Rivers State generated N15bn VAT revenue in June this year, but got N4.7bn in return, while Kano generated N2.8bn in the same month and got the same N2.8bn back.

Wike had also assented to the Rivers State Value Added Tax Law 2021 in August after it was passed by the state House of Assembly.

Meanwhile, some states have since followed suit with the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday passing the Value Added Tax Bill, which Speaker Mudashiru Obasa directed that the Acting Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, transmit a clean copy of it to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.

VAT is a consumption tax paid when goods are purchased and services are rendered. It is charged at a rate of 7.5 per cent.

In its statement, Afenifere “called on the state governments to use the opportunity provided by these landmark judgments to explore other areas that the Constitution empowers them to assert themselves as federalists. In other words, they should step up actions that will liberate the states from the stronghold of the federal government that has turned Nigeria into a Unitary State – in contradistinction to the federal spirit prescribes by the Constitution.

“They should be assured of Afenifere’s support as they give vent to power devolution and entrenchment of true federalism in Nigeria.

“Areas in which the states need to assert themselves include agriculture, health, education, electricity, physical planning, title registration, registration and production of vehicle number plates and casino licensing etc as Lagos State Government did in the past.”

The group led by Pa Ayo Adebanjo also called on FIRS “to resist the temptation to keep appealing the judgment that empowers states to collect local taxes as such a step is another assault on the federal system that we are supposed to be running.”

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Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has commended the decision of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt which ruled that the Rivers State Government had the powers to collect Value Added Tax generated within its territory.

The group said the judgment of the court enhances true federalism and therefore advised the 36 states to step up carry out legal actions to be free from the actions and policies of the Federal Government.

Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, in a statement on Thursday, said the Federal Inland Revenue Service was wrong for appealing the VAT judgment which actually brought more federalism to states.

The statement was titled, “PH Court’s Ruling On VAT Enhances True Federalism, Afenifere Says.”

Last month, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt in a judgment in suit number FHC/PH/CS/149/2020, held that the Rivers State Government had the powers to collect VAT within its territory.

Although the Federal Inland Revenue Service applied to the court for a stay of execution, Justice Stephen Pam rejected the application, saying granting it would negate the principle of equity.

Governor Nyesom Wike, who had  lamented the injustice in the country, had also revealed that  the Rivers State generated N15bn VAT revenue in June this year, but got N4.7bn in return, while Kano generated N2.8bn in the same month and got the same N2.8bn back.

Wike had also assented to the Rivers State Value Added Tax Law 2021 in August after it was passed by the state House of Assembly.

Meanwhile, some states have since followed suit with the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday passing the Value Added Tax Bill, which Speaker Mudashiru Obasa directed that the Acting Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, transmit a clean copy of it to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.

VAT is a consumption tax paid when goods are purchased and services are rendered. It is charged at a rate of 7.5 per cent.

In its statement, Afenifere “called on the state governments to use the opportunity provided by these landmark judgments to explore other areas that the Constitution empowers them to assert themselves as federalists. In other words, they should step up actions that will liberate the states from the stronghold of the federal government that has turned Nigeria into a Unitary State – in contradistinction to the federal spirit prescribes by the Constitution.

“They should be assured of Afenifere’s support as they give vent to power devolution and entrenchment of true federalism in Nigeria.

“Areas in which the states need to assert themselves include agriculture, health, education, electricity, physical planning, title registration, registration and production of vehicle number plates and casino licensing etc as Lagos State Government did in the past.”

The group led by Pa Ayo Adebanjo also called on FIRS “to resist the temptation to keep appealing the judgment that empowers states to collect local taxes as such a step is another assault on the federal system that we are supposed to be running.”

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The US president is using his executive power to require that big companies vaccinate employees.

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The suspect is said to have "mummified" the corpse in order to continue receiving her pension.

Human rights' lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, has backed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for championing the agitation for fiscal federalism for states in the country.

Adegboruwa, in a statement, said the collection of Value Added Tax by states is a “form of restructuring.”

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa

The lawyer who said the country should get rid of “feeding-bottle federalism and Abuja financial pilgrimage” commended the Rivers State governor for starting a “revolution.”

Adegboruwa in a statement titled, ‘State VAT Laws Is A Form Of Restructuring’  noted that those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.

“It is restructuring and I support it 100%. We’ve been shouting and crying for this lopsided federalism to be made equitable. Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.

“I commend Gov Wike who started this revolution. I also commend Gov Sanwoolu, my LBS and Hon A-G, Onigbanjo and the Lagos House of Assembly.

“Other laws should follow. LASG should go to Lagos High Court to seek an order for immediate compliance with the VAT law by all persons and authorities doing business in Lagos State.

“It’s a good beginning; enough of feeding-bottle federalism and Abuja financial pilgrimage!”

 

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Human rights' lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, has backed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for championing the agitation for fiscal federalism for states in the country.

Adegboruwa, in a statement, said the collection of Value Added Tax by states is a “form of restructuring.”

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa

The lawyer who said the country should get rid of “feeding-bottle federalism and Abuja financial pilgrimage” commended the Rivers State governor for starting a “revolution.”

Adegboruwa in a statement titled, ‘State VAT Laws Is A Form Of Restructuring’  noted that those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.

“It is restructuring and I support it 100%. We’ve been shouting and crying for this lopsided federalism to be made equitable. Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.

“I commend Gov Wike who started this revolution. I also commend Gov Sanwoolu, my LBS and Hon A-G, Onigbanjo and the Lagos House of Assembly.

“Other laws should follow. LASG should go to Lagos High Court to seek an order for immediate compliance with the VAT law by all persons and authorities doing business in Lagos State.

“It’s a good beginning; enough of feeding-bottle federalism and Abuja financial pilgrimage!”

 

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Olajide Sowore, younger brother of human rights’ activist, Omoyele Sowore, was laid to rest on Thursday at the family’s hometown –Kiribo – in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Olajide was murdered in cold blood by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Saturday, September 4 in the Okada area of Edo State.

Before his death, he was a student of Igbinedion University, Okada, where he was studying Pharmacy.

At this burial on Thursday, emotions ran high as family members, friends and well wishes mourned the demise of Olajide.

#RevolutionNow protesters, kitted in their #BuhariMustGo T-shirts and caps were seen calling for justice for Olajide.

“We have come to bury Jide, not to praise him. The gruesome murder of our beloved brother by killer-herdsmen along Ore-Benin expressway; we have not got a consolation message from the Federal Government to provide answers into why Nigeria is killing its people. Jide was an inventor,” one of the friends said. 

One of his brothers said, “Only a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his gruesome murder in broad daylight can ameliorate the excruciating pains occasioned by death. The federal government must put to a halt the deliberate and continuous prosecution of our brother, Omoyele Sowore, whose major offence was calling for a better Nigeria.

“Omoyele Sowore should be allowed to the United States of America to reunite with his wife and children. He has not committed any offence."

The representative of the Ijaw National Congress said, “The government of Nigeria has failed. We don't see any reason why Nigeria is under siege as we are presently. You cannot travel from one state to another peacefully without fear; we cannot sleep with two eyes closed. The All Progressives Congress-government led by President Muhammadu Buhari should wake up to their responsibilities; this is not the time to be killing our future.

“Those who are dying are our future. Who knows what Jide would have done if he was still alive? As a representative of the Ijaw nation, I say that the Ijaws are tired of the condition of Nigeria. Nigeria should return to true federalism where the owners of resources can control them.”

Another person said, “We have lost someone dear to us. Jide will remain in our memories forever. The Nigerian government should try and do the needful to bring the perpetrators to book.”

A younger brother to Olajide said, “Jide was a lover of peace, a coordinator to this family. He has lived a well deserved life, a life of good gesture. I have taken solace in all these as a brother. It is bad news and an omen to the entire country. Today, everyone is palpable to fear for one reason or the other. We have fallen into a bad period of politicking in the country, we can't help the situation. The republic we are in presently is the worst one. I want to encourage everyone to remain antagonistic to all the odds in this country wherever we find ourselves.

“The federal government has failed us as a people, as a family from this part of the world. My brother has died for like a week now and the entire media space has been awash with the news. People from all walks of life have sent condolences to the family but unfortunately, the federal government kept criminally mute without saying anything to this family. It is a situation that has told everyone that this country is not worthy to be lived in. We thank the governors of Ondo, Edo, Benue and others who have spoken up.

“Today, we are rebuking the federal government for the criminal silence and complicity in the gruesome killing of people in this country, giving amnesty to criminals in their hideouts to keep committing crime.

“We are grieved today because the baton we are receiving is from several ends. My brother (Omoyele) has been criminally restricted to Abuja without doing anything yet Boko Haram is given amnesty and recruited into the nation's Army so they can come and fight back.

“Those who have stood for justice, and sought the betterment of Nigeria are being victimised. Sunday Igboho is somewhere now languishing. Everyone who stood for justice in this country is being victimised and criminalised. To this end, I want to say, we must do everything to pursue justice in this country.

“My brother (Omoyele) would have come to bury his brother according to our custom but the federal government has held him captive. We are now like orphans because as he has been held captive; our brother was working to fill in the gap. Now, he has been killed.”

A member of the #RevolutionNow movement and African Action Congress said, “This issue is not just happening to us, it is happening all over the country. That's why we are fighting, seeking a surgical revolution such that an end will come to the killings, kidnapping, banditry and all forms of insecurity.

“But our leaders, both federal and state governments want war, they don't want us to get justice. Kidnapping is going on in this same state. While we have been clamouring for revolution now and while the government is keeping Sowore captive is because the ruling class has been swimming in blood for a very long time. They have taken away all the jobs that used to be in this country; they have sucked the wealth of this country dry. They killed companies so you and I will have no jobs.

“All the crisis in this country the Nigerian ruling class is happy about it. Jide's death is a proverb to all of us. Let all of us unite from North to South, in every part of this country, hold ourselves still because those who want war are one and the same. Let us unite and put an end to this debacle. Across all their parties, they have failed and will continue to fail."

Earlier in the week, Sowore appreciated Nigerians who showed support for the family over the demise of Olajide.

He had, however, noted that despite the noise from Nigerian government officials promising to bring the perpetrators to justice, the family was not aware of any investigation by security agencies.

“Thank you all for reaching out with great love and kind words of consolation, support and solidarity over the tragic but still unexplained death of my dearest brother, Felix Olajide Sowore.

“I send you loads of gratitude from the bottom of my heart and that of my entire family.

"We should report to the public that despite the noise from Nigerian govt officials promising to 'apprehend' my brother’s killers, we are not aware any security agency/ies carrying out rescue operations to free those purportedly abducted or investigating the identity of Jide’s murderers.

"It is not as if we expect anything from the failed system that took our brother’s life, I feel that I owe you all an update on these matters. We will keep the public updated with progress regarding funeral arrangement,” Sowore had said.

Also, the family had announced the link to the virtual attendance option of the burial ceremony of Olajide.

Taking to his Facebook page on Tuesday, Sowore shared the link to a pre-scheduled zoom meeting which will connect well-wishers to the burial ceremony holding at Ondo State on Thursday.

The inclusion of a virtual meeting in the burial arrangement comes as the activist himself has not been granted the opportunity to attend the burial.

Sowore is currently under open detention in Abuja, the country's capital following a court order issued by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu in 2019.

 

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Olajide Sowore, younger brother of human rights’ activist, Omoyele Sowore, was laid to rest on Thursday at the family’s hometown –Kiribo – in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Olajide was murdered in cold blood by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on Saturday, September 4 in the Okada area of Edo State.

Before his death, he was a student of Igbinedion University, Okada, where he was studying Pharmacy.

At this burial on Thursday, emotions ran high as family members, friends and well wishes mourned the demise of Olajide.

#RevolutionNow protesters, kitted in their #BuhariMustGo T-shirts and caps were seen calling for justice for Olajide.

“We have come to bury Jide, not to praise him. The gruesome murder of our beloved brother by killer-herdsmen along Ore-Benin expressway; we have not got a consolation message from the Federal Government to provide answers into why Nigeria is killing its people. Jide was an inventor,” one of the friends said. 

One of his brothers said, “Only a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his gruesome murder in broad daylight can ameliorate the excruciating pains occasioned by death. The federal government must put to a halt the deliberate and continuous prosecution of our brother, Omoyele Sowore, whose major offence was calling for a better Nigeria.

“Omoyele Sowore should be allowed to the United States of America to reunite with his wife and children. He has not committed any offence."

The representative of the Ijaw National Congress said, “The government of Nigeria has failed. We don't see any reason why Nigeria is under siege as we are presently. You cannot travel from one state to another peacefully without fear; we cannot sleep with two eyes closed. The All Progressives Congress-government led by President Muhammadu Buhari should wake up to their responsibilities; this is not the time to be killing our future.

“Those who are dying are our future. Who knows what Jide would have done if he was still alive? As a representative of the Ijaw nation, I say that the Ijaws are tired of the condition of Nigeria. Nigeria should return to true federalism where the owners of resources can control them.”

Another person said, “We have lost someone dear to us. Jide will remain in our memories forever. The Nigerian government should try and do the needful to bring the perpetrators to book.”

A younger brother to Olajide said, “Jide was a lover of peace, a coordinator to this family. He has lived a well deserved life, a life of good gesture. I have taken solace in all these as a brother. It is bad news and an omen to the entire country. Today, everyone is palpable to fear for one reason or the other. We have fallen into a bad period of politicking in the country, we can't help the situation. The republic we are in presently is the worst one. I want to encourage everyone to remain antagonistic to all the odds in this country wherever we find ourselves.

“The federal government has failed us as a people, as a family from this part of the world. My brother has died for like a week now and the entire media space has been awash with the news. People from all walks of life have sent condolences to the family but unfortunately, the federal government kept criminally mute without saying anything to this family. It is a situation that has told everyone that this country is not worthy to be lived in. We thank the governors of Ondo, Edo, Benue and others who have spoken up.

“Today, we are rebuking the federal government for the criminal silence and complicity in the gruesome killing of people in this country, giving amnesty to criminals in their hideouts to keep committing crime.

“We are grieved today because the baton we are receiving is from several ends. My brother (Omoyele) has been criminally restricted to Abuja without doing anything yet Boko Haram is given amnesty and recruited into the nation's Army so they can come and fight back.

“Those who have stood for justice, and sought the betterment of Nigeria are being victimised. Sunday Igboho is somewhere now languishing. Everyone who stood for justice in this country is being victimised and criminalised. To this end, I want to say, we must do everything to pursue justice in this country.

“My brother (Omoyele) would have come to bury his brother according to our custom but the federal government has held him captive. We are now like orphans because as he has been held captive; our brother was working to fill in the gap. Now, he has been killed.”

A member of the #RevolutionNow movement and African Action Congress said, “This issue is not just happening to us, it is happening all over the country. That's why we are fighting, seeking a surgical revolution such that an end will come to the killings, kidnapping, banditry and all forms of insecurity.

“But our leaders, both federal and state governments want war, they don't want us to get justice. Kidnapping is going on in this same state. While we have been clamouring for revolution now and while the government is keeping Sowore captive is because the ruling class has been swimming in blood for a very long time. They have taken away all the jobs that used to be in this country; they have sucked the wealth of this country dry. They killed companies so you and I will have no jobs.

“All the crisis in this country the Nigerian ruling class is happy about it. Jide's death is a proverb to all of us. Let all of us unite from North to South, in every part of this country, hold ourselves still because those who want war are one and the same. Let us unite and put an end to this debacle. Across all their parties, they have failed and will continue to fail."

Earlier in the week, Sowore appreciated Nigerians who showed support for the family over the demise of Olajide.

He had, however, noted that despite the noise from Nigerian government officials promising to bring the perpetrators to justice, the family was not aware of any investigation by security agencies.

“Thank you all for reaching out with great love and kind words of consolation, support and solidarity over the tragic but still unexplained death of my dearest brother, Felix Olajide Sowore.

“I send you loads of gratitude from the bottom of my heart and that of my entire family.

"We should report to the public that despite the noise from Nigerian govt officials promising to 'apprehend' my brother’s killers, we are not aware any security agency/ies carrying out rescue operations to free those purportedly abducted or investigating the identity of Jide’s murderers.

"It is not as if we expect anything from the failed system that took our brother’s life, I feel that I owe you all an update on these matters. We will keep the public updated with progress regarding funeral arrangement,” Sowore had said.

Also, the family had announced the link to the virtual attendance option of the burial ceremony of Olajide.

Taking to his Facebook page on Tuesday, Sowore shared the link to a pre-scheduled zoom meeting which will connect well-wishers to the burial ceremony holding at Ondo State on Thursday.

The inclusion of a virtual meeting in the burial arrangement comes as the activist himself has not been granted the opportunity to attend the burial.

Sowore is currently under open detention in Abuja, the country's capital following a court order issued by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu in 2019.

 

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The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the release of South-East youths being held in various detention facilities across the country by security agents.

This was revealed by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President, Prof George Obiozor, in his address while welcoming Buhari to Owerri, Imo State.

File photo used to illustrate story.

Obiozor who said that Ndigbo were not separatists noted that the Igbo would continue to be part of Nigeria as long as there was justice in the country.

His statement partly reads, “Mr. President, your visit and presence today in Igboland and Owerri, Imo State in particular, has more than political significance.

“In manner of symbolism, this visit has thrown light into the cloudiness and doubts surrounding the perception of the relations between your government and Ndigbo.

“Your Excellency, the most urgent and imperative need of Ndigbo today is security. The security of Ndigbo in Nigeria and beyond has become a compelling primary responsibility of serious concern for Ndigbo.

“Regrettably, our South-East Zone has recently become a theatre of conflict, negating the peace-loving nature of our people.”

“In this context, Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for the establishment of a zonal and state police apparatus to support and complement the existing federal security architecture.

“It is in this same vein that Ohanaeze Ndigbo appeals to you, Mr. President, to see to the release of Igbo youths detained by various security agencies across the country,” he added.

 

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The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the release of South-East youths being held in various detention facilities across the country by security agents.

This was revealed by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President, Prof George Obiozor, in his address while welcoming Buhari to Owerri, Imo State.

File photo used to illustrate story.

Obiozor who said that Ndigbo were not separatists noted that the Igbo would continue to be part of Nigeria as long as there was justice in the country.

His statement partly reads, “Mr. President, your visit and presence today in Igboland and Owerri, Imo State in particular, has more than political significance.

“In manner of symbolism, this visit has thrown light into the cloudiness and doubts surrounding the perception of the relations between your government and Ndigbo.

“Your Excellency, the most urgent and imperative need of Ndigbo today is security. The security of Ndigbo in Nigeria and beyond has become a compelling primary responsibility of serious concern for Ndigbo.

“Regrettably, our South-East Zone has recently become a theatre of conflict, negating the peace-loving nature of our people.”

“In this context, Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls for the establishment of a zonal and state police apparatus to support and complement the existing federal security architecture.

“It is in this same vein that Ohanaeze Ndigbo appeals to you, Mr. President, to see to the release of Igbo youths detained by various security agencies across the country,” he added.

 

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Days after the attacks on 11 September 2001, the internet was rife with fake claims of what happened.

An 80-year-old man identified as Louis Onwumere, has reportedly burnt himself to death in Ezinihitte, Mbaise Council Area of Enugu State.

The aged man was said to have poured petrol on his family house before striking a match which burnt him to death.

This has since raised confusion in the area as people who considered the incident as an abomination, but they could not ascertain the reasons behind the old man's action.

Also, they could not pin-point anybody with whom he had any quarrel or fight to warrant such a bizarre action.

It was gathered that the grandpa, described by one villager as a “strange man” retired many years ago as a staff of the School of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt in Rivers State where he had worked with a Standard Six certificate as his highest qualification.

A source said in order to prevent a possible mass arrest by the police, some members of the Umualika village had sworn a court affidavit insisting that the deceased who reportedly lived alone in the house, had no trouble with anyone adding that “we are not suspecting anybody and we don’t want trouble.”

The source disclosed that they had submitted the affidavit to the police at Ezinihitte Police Division in Ezinihitte Mbaise Council Area of the state.

On Thursday when the incident happened, the octogenarian, whose wife still resides in Port Harcourt, had waited patiently for the rain to stop before allegedly executing his plot.

Another resident said, “It rained from morning till about past 11am on that day. When the sun began to shine in the afternoon, say at about 1pm the inferno began and raged on till at about 6pm before the walls of the building began to fall down.”

It was also learnt that the entire 3 bedroom and a sitting-room bungalow – the rooftop, the walls and everything belonging to the immediate younger brother of deceased, were burnt at the same time, suggesting that he might have spread petrol or kerosene on the house, our source had said.

The source further explained that it was when the inferno died down, that the burnt corpse of the deceased was seen in one of the rooms “apparently suggesting that the old man must have been moving about naked in the room when the raging fire became unbearable to him.”

Another villager also stated that, “The man returned from Port Harcourt about 30 years ago. He was not living with his wife or any of the children. He bought enough fuel and poured it up and down of the house. As soon as the rain stopped, he used the opportunity to do the thing.”

A leader in the village, who is also a member of the traditional rulership, Eze’s cabinet, Nze Nicholas Nwokoleme, said the villagers are not happy about the incident.

Nze Nwokoleme informed newsmen that “We are not happy about the ugly incident. That’s all I can say now.”

A youth leader, Mr. Jude Ndukwe said: “it’s a very sad thing but I was not there when it happened. Some people called me and told me about it on phone. But before I could reach the place, the damage had already been done and the corpse of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary. It’s sad but this type of incident has not happened in our place before.”

The state police spokesman, CSP Mike Abatam, neither answered calls nor replied a text message sent to him.

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The killers of Pa Defwan Dariye, father of a former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, have confessed that they kidnapped the deceased because they wanted to make money from his son.

One of the suspects, Abubakar Mohammed, said one Jethro Nguyen, a 53-year-old indigene of Bokkos in Plateau State, directed him to kill the victim.

He said, “I was contacted by Jethro Nguyen. He said his son was governor for 8 years and also senator for 8 years, that we should look around his community, that the youths are all over unemployed. That we should kidnap the father so that we can get a ransom. He stayed with us for like 8 days before he was killed.”

Another suspect, who identified himself as Sunday Ibrahim, also noted that the mastermind, Nguyen, hired 10 others to abduct the old man from his palace.

During his confession, Nguyen said he had to hire 10 others including some Fulani herders to successfully abduct the old man from his home.

It was this mastermind who also ensured that the victim was kept in their custody for 10 days before giving the order for his murder.

According to him, Pa Dariye was abducted because his son, Joshua had been a governor and senator but never helped his people.

Parading the suspects at Force headquarters, Abuja, spokesman for the Force, Frank Mba, explained that Pa Dariye, a 93-year-old man, was held incommunicado for about eight days under unsanitary conditions.

According to him, after a protracted negotiation, a ransom of N10 million was paid to the kidnappers but instead of setting the victim free, he was murdered.

Mba said the incident happened in June 2020, adding that after recovering the victim’s body, detectives from the Intelligence Response Unit and other police investigators swung into action.

The eight members of the syndicate arrested include Jethron Ngusen (57), from Horop village (who is the mastermind); Sunday Ibrahim, (35), from Horop village; Titus Ezikiel (33), from Horop; Ya’u Saidu aka Ya’u Kaban (40), from Kaban village and Dauda Isah (38), from Horop village.

Others are Mangut Shumuwar (30), from Horop village; Henry Amos (35), from Horop village; all in Mushere district of Bokkos.

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Salihu Tanko-Yakasai, a former media aide to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has shown his support for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers over the latter's move to stop the Nigerian Government from collecting Value Added Tax from the oil-rich South-South state.

On Wednesday during a stakeholders' meeting with oil companies and business owners in the state, Wike noted that companies based in the state are to start paying VAT to the state government.

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had on August 10 restrained the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from collecting VAT and personal income tax in Rivers State.

Following the court’s judgement, Wike signed the VAT Law No. 4 of 2021 on August 19.

Although the FIRS had contested the ruling in the Appeal Court, it, however, failed to obtain a stay of execution it sought to prevent the state government from enforcing the verdict.

Reacting to Wike's stance on the VAT issue, Tanko-Yakassi, also known as Dawisu, said he is in support of the Rivers State Governor.

Dawisu added that any northerner who is attacking Wike on the issue doesn't mean well for his region as the step will make those in the North look inwards on how to revive improve their economy.

He wrote: "Any northerner that's attacking Wike on this VAT issue does not mean well for his region. On this, I'm with Wike 100%. It's time we look inwards & do some soul searching on how to revive our economic status in this country. To me, this is a wake-up call to Arewa leaders & followers."

 
Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Thursday passed the state’s Value Added Tax (VAT) bill. 

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, after the passage of the bill, directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit a clean copy to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent. 

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Salihu Tanko-Yakasai, a former media aide to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has shown his support for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers over the latter's move to stop the Nigerian Government from collecting Value Added Tax from the oil-rich South-South state.

On Wednesday during a stakeholders' meeting with oil companies and business owners in the state, Wike noted that companies based in the state are to start paying VAT to the state government.

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had on August 10 restrained the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) from collecting VAT and personal income tax in Rivers State.

Following the court’s judgement, Wike signed the VAT Law No. 4 of 2021 on August 19.

Although the FIRS had contested the ruling in the Appeal Court, it, however, failed to obtain a stay of execution it sought to prevent the state government from enforcing the verdict.

Reacting to Wike's stance on the VAT issue, Tanko-Yakassi, also known as Dawisu, said he is in support of the Rivers State Governor.

Dawisu added that any northerner who is attacking Wike on the issue doesn't mean well for his region as the step will make those in the North look inwards on how to revive improve their economy.

He wrote: "Any northerner that's attacking Wike on this VAT issue does not mean well for his region. On this, I'm with Wike 100%. It's time we look inwards & do some soul searching on how to revive our economic status in this country. To me, this is a wake-up call to Arewa leaders & followers."

 
Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Thursday passed the state’s Value Added Tax (VAT) bill. 

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, after the passage of the bill, directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit a clean copy to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent. 

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Human rights activist and the convener of an advocacy group, Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju has commended the residents of Imo State for complying with the sit-at-home directive of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in protest against the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

Kanu had previously directed the people of the state to stay indoors to prevent them from welcoming the president to the state.

Adeyanju on his official Twitter page, stated that it was obvious that IPOB and the citizens of Imo state who complied with the Sit-at-home order, spoke to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 'language he understands'.

He added that despite the heavy security agents deployed to the state, Buhari hurriedly inaugurated a road project and left the street because of fear of the unknown. 

He said IPOB only asked for a sit-at-home but was given a lockdown instead.

Earlier reports showed that residents of the state obeyed the order by staying indoors, while business activities were grounded. 

The streets were also deserted during President Buhari's visit to the state. 

Adeyanju further mocked Buhari saying what happened in Imo State was a message to him that he had already lost popularity in the state.  

Adeyanju tweeted: "IPOB communicating to Buhari in the language he understands. It’s a ghost town. Even with the massive deployment of military, they hurriedly commissioned the project and left the street. The road Supreme Court Governor told Buhari to commission was 90% completed by Emeka Ihedioha.

"With what Buhari has seen today in Imo, I hope when next Supreme Court Governor goes to Aso Rock to lie to him that he is in charge of the state, he will just laugh. How Uzodinma will even campaign round Imo State for re-election will be a miracle.

"Imo people are wicked. LOL! It was supposed to be a Sit-At-Home but they turned it to Lockdown. Buhari completely disgraced.

"The lockdown of Imo State today shocked even BBC Igbo. They had to go look for old #EndSARS picture to add for Buhari. Although they have now apologised for this, E Choke."

In a tweet shared on Tuesday, June 1, Buhari spoke about the civil war experience and threatened to deal with secession agitators “bent on destroying” Nigeria through “insurrection" and treat them on language they understand. 

“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand,” he had said.

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Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State stirred up a hornets’ nest when he called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to stop giving “preferential scores” to students in Northern Nigeria.

The Governor had said it was wrong for the students in the North who sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to get preferential treatment.

“The north has always been behind in education, we’ve continuously been the disadvantaged region right from independence even though we’re given preferences, JAMB scores and all that. That has not helped; in fact, it has made our people lazy,” the governor had said.

The Governor said instead of the differential JAMB and Federal Government scores, students in the North should be encouraged to work hard and compete with the other regions.

Olabisi Deji-Folutile

Expectedly, JAMB has refuted the governor’s allegation. The board said it does not give preferential or differential cut-off marks to candidates. It said candidates sit for its UTME and whatever they score in the exam forms the basis for their selection after the policy meeting authorises the commencement of admission. To the board, what people refer to as the cut-off mark is the minimum score that each institution sets based on candidates’ performance in the UTME for the year, subscription to programmes and institutions.  

The board’s position is the plain truth. There is no such thing as different scores for Northern and Southern candidates. As a matter of fact, JAMB does not award marks based on region or state of origin. Every candidate earns their marks, so there is nothing like JAMB giving preferential scores to candidates from the north. So, to that extent, the governor’s call on JAMB to stop its preferential treatment for candidates from the north is really uncalled for. 

This notwithstanding, el-Rufai raised some valid points. And we should not allow his obvious wrong choice of targeted audience to obscure the relevance of his genuine observation. While, it could for instance, be wrong to say that JAMB gives preferential treatment to candidates from the north; it is also true that candidates from the north do not often go through the same level of rigours as their southern counterparts in securing admission. At least, this has been well demonstrated in the way they gain admission into the country’s   unity colleges.  

It is no secret that cut-off marks for northern candidates seeking admission into unity schools are far lower when compared with cut-offs set for candidates from the southern part of the country.  A candidate from the south with 150 points may never get the chance of gaining admission into a unity college, whereas a candidate from the north may not need more than 2 points to be admitted into the same college. 

Let’s take a look at the cut-off marks into the 104 Federal Government owned Unity Schools as released by the National Examination Council (NECO) for the 2020/2021 academic session. There is obviously a huge disparity between the cut-off marks set for candidates from the south and their counterparts from the north.  While the Federal Government sets an average of 134 /300 for candidates from the South East, states in the north have cut-offs of as low as 20/300 or even below.     

The breakdown shows that Anambra has the highest cut-off of 139 marks for both males and females; Imo 138; Enugu 134, Lagos 133; Delta 131, Ogun 131, Abia and Edo-130; Osun and Oyo states-127.  However, the least cut-off marks are all in northern states. Gombe 58; Nasarawa 58; Borno 45; Jigawa 44, Bauchi 35; Kebbi has 9 for males and 20 for females; Sokoto has 9 for males and 13 for females; Zamfara has 4 marks for males and 2 for females.  Taraba has 3 for males and 11 for females while Yobe has 2 for males and 27 for females. 

This has always been the practice over the years. The cut-off marks for male pupils from Yobe and Zamfara states in the 2018/2019 session, for example, were mere two and four points respectively. Likewise, a male candidate from Taraba State only needed three points out of 300 to gain admission into a unity school in 2019, whereas the minimum score for any pupil from Anambra State was pegged at 139 in the same exam.  

There is obviously something wrong with this type of system. While a candidate from Anambra with 120 marks may not have a chance of being admitted to a unity college, a lucky female candidate from Zamfara with 2 marks will gain admission to the same school all in the name of hailing from an educationally-disadvantaged state. Where is the fairness in this kind of process? The same thing continues to higher institutions. This, I think, is the point that el-Rufai is making. 

  So, for me, rather than focusing on the body providing the preferential treatment, we should rather look at the substance of the submission. Today, the North is overall behind the Southern states in school enrolment. The region has the highest number of out of school children in Nigeria in spite of efforts by the Federal Government to bridge the gap between the north and the south via the use of quota system. The highest number of out –of- school children are located in North West (4,123,834) while the South East has the lowest numbers of out of school children (200,348). Why this lopsidedness in spite of quota system?  

JAMB is not the one giving preferential treatment to the north. It is the Nigerian government that is giving candidates from the north preferential treatment.  In my article on October 3, 2019, I did say that Nigeria was operating a quota policy that robs Peter to pay Paul, thereby enthroning mediocrity above meritocracy.   From observation, higher institutions in the north set lower cut-off marks for candidates compared to those in the south.  The state –owned institutions are not helping matters. Rather than pick candidates based on merit, they claim to localise admission. So, they  take a specific number of candidates from all local governments regardless of their qualifications.   How do you expect a child that got admitted into a secondary school with 2 marks to compete favourably with another one that scored 130?  The implication of this is that the minimum cut-off for many higher institutions in the north is likely to be lowered based on the candidates’ performance in exams like UTME. This is the simple truth and that is the point that El-Rufai is making. 

The situation was even better before 2021. Then, institutions would come up with suggestions on the minimum scores that they could take and stakeholders at the policy meeting of JAMB would take a decision on what should be the minimum benchmark. But this year, there was no such agreed minimum cut-off mark.  Rather, institutions were allowed to go by whatever cut-off they proposed. This means an institution can decide to make 100 its cut-off mark.  

Usually, admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions is guided by three main criteria. The first one is merit, which is 45% ;  the second consideration is catchment area, which is  35% and the  third approved criterion is what is referred to as Educationally Disadvantaged States, (ELDS) which is 20%. Invariably, only 45 per cent of slots in our public institutions are merit-based. Other considerations apart from merit determine those that get the remaining 55 per cent slots.

Ordinarily, all candidates are expected to meet the minimum acceptable criteria of five credits including maths and English before they are considered for admission.   However, this is not always the case as some institutions admit unqualified candidates through the backdoor.  Many of them admit unqualified candidates for remedial studies and later regularise their admissions with JAMB thus making the general requirement irrelevant. 

The bitter reality is that candidates that scored four over 300 in the unity college exam are likely to form the bulk of the 55 per cent of people admitted to public universities based on considerations other than merit. It doesn’t matter where these candidates come from. They can come from he north or south as educationally disadvantaged institutions aren’t limited to the north.  Such people are likely to become the nation’s decision makers and policy formulators, making the country to be governed by its weakest. Yet, we want good governance. We expect people that couldn’t cope with the rigours of learning to suddenly develop the capacity to formulate policies that will put the country on the path of development. This is impossible!

The general consensus of opinion in countries where quota system is practised is that it should be discarded. In Malawi, for instance, quota system has remained a contentious policy, same for India and Pakistan. In these countries, there is a growing public clamour for the populace to go to school and work based on their qualifications and abilities rather than where they come from. This is because they have realised that quota system is discriminatory in nature.

When a less-qualified candidate is considered above a more qualified person just because government wants to create a balance, striving for excellence becomes meaningless. Getting outstanding leaders is also a challenge when merit is relegated to the background in government recruitment process.

Quota system is not in the overall interest of Nigeria.  All students should be allowed to compete fairly and justly. State governments should bear the responsibility of narrowing education gaps in their areas. 

Indeed, what el-Rufai should have boldly called for is the scrapping of the quota system. That would have hit the nail on the head.  Accusing JAMB of awarding preferential cut-off points to candidates from the Northern states is a mere diversionary attack!

 

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