The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has dismissed the declaration of his hitherto political godson, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, to contest for the 2023 presidential election, stressing that he does not have any son old enough to make such declaration.

 

 

 

Earlier on Monday, Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice-President since May 2015, said that he would want to succeed his principal, Muhammadu Buhari and complete all that the APC government started seven years ago.

 

 

Osinbajo and Tinubu have a history as political associates. Tinubu, as Lagos governor, had in 1999 appointed Osinbajo as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, a position the law professor held till 2007.

 

 

 

Osinbajo, a senior pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was reportedly nominated by Tinubu to be Buhari’s running mate in 2015 to avoid a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

 

 

 

Speaking about the declaration of his political godson, Osinbajo, to contest for President after a consultative meeting with members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) in Abuja on Monday, the former Lagos governor simply said: “I don’t have any son grown up enough to make such declaration.”

 

 

 

On his mission, Tinubu said, “My mission here is to seek collaboration, support and encouragement of my party, the APC, for my ambition to become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a replacement for President Muhammadu Buhari after his tenure.”

 

 

 

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Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

Two former classmates at Olashore International School in Iloko-Ijesha, Osun State, Obiamaka Chidinma Azubike and Okwuehi Ogboi, have approached the Lagos High Court over an alleged sexual and physical assault claim and its aftermath.
 
According to The Nation, Azubike is seeking an apology in five national dailies and two social media platforms including Instagram and N510 million as damages from Ogboi for the sexual and physical assault she allegedly suffered from 13 of her schoolmates in 2004 when she was the school’s public relations prefect.

Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

Ogboi is a Senior Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Special Duties.

Meanwhile, Ogboi is also seeking N250 million from Azubike for the alleged severe injury he suffered because of Azubike’s alleged defamatory publications against him.
 
In her statement of defence to Ogboi’s suit, Azubike alleged that the incident occurred on the night of May 1, 2004.
 
She said, “While the Defendant (Azubike) and her friend were heading back to their hostel that night, the Defendant was sexually assaulted by 13 of her male classmates including the Claimant as they all inserted their hands, gripping and thrusting into all the sensitive parts of her body with utmost disregard and as well laughing at her tears till help came.
 
“She managed to run while the assaulters including the Claimant chased her but when they realised that she was headed towards Dr Burgess, the School Principal’s residence, they all tactically withdrew.
 
“On her arrival at the Principal’s residence, the Defendant was asked to explain what happened by the Principal and his wife, and subsequently she was made to write two statements on the incident after which she was taken to the clinic to be examined by one of the school’s nurse, Ms. Sade/Mary who at the time confirmed that there was vaginal trauma.”
 
She alleged that the school failed to inform her parents or the police of the incident and generally handled the matter poorly, including trying to cover up the incident by accusing her of lying, taking a “boys’ only route” and punishing her along with her assaulters.
 
Azubike is represented by Funmi Falana, Folakemi Falana and Taiwo E. Olawanle of Falana & Falana Chambers while Ogboi is represented by Adeola Owoade.
 
The defendant is seeking “A declaration that the Claimant (Ogboi) played a key role in both sexual and physical assault of the defendant and as such is not fit and proper to hold any public office in Nigeria.
“A declaration that the sexual and physical assault occasioned by the Claimant and other students of over 17 years ago has caused the Defendant reputational, psychological and financial losses.
 
“A declaration that the Claimant’s involvement in the physical and sexual assault of the Defendant is a criminal offence which Olashore International School should have reported to the police for investigation and prosecution.
 
“An order directing the Claimant in conjunction with Olashore International School to publish in five (5) National Dailies and two (2) Social Media platforms including Instagram an apology to the Defendant for the reputational and psychological damage the action of the Claimant and other students of Olashore International School has caused her.”
 
But in his statement of claim, Ogboi described Azubike’s publications of the incident on social media as false and libellous.
 
He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the Defendant from any further publication of the defamatory words, a “retraction of the libellous posts” and a letter of apology.”
 
Furthermore, he is seeking general damages of N250 million as well as costs of the suit.
 

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The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress and presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu, on Monday met with members of the Progressives Governors Forum.
 
The meeting, according to reports, is currently being held at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

Osinbajo had also met with some All Progressives Congress governors on Sunday in Abuja, hosting them for the breaking of the Ramadan fast (Iftar).
He was said to have declared his ambition to the gathering, seeking their support.
 
SaharaReporters learnt that "about 14 APC governors were meeting with Tinubu as of Monday morning".
 
Tinubu had a few months ago informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to also contest for President in 2023.

The former Lagos governor had described the Presidency as his lifelong ambition, saying he would like to step into Buhari’s shoes and not on his toes.

Osinbajo was the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Lagos when Tinubu was the state governor, prompting some people, especially those in Tinubu's camp to describe Osinbajo's declaration as a betrayal.

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File Photo

Two persons were reportedly killed on Monday by gunmen said to be enforcing the controversial sit-at-home exercise in Enugu.
 
A Toyota Sienna SUV was also burnt by hoodlums at the crime scene identified as Chris Chemist Bus Stop at about 6:45 am.

File Photo

SaharaReporters learnt that the hoodlums stormed the park and shot a passenger inside the Sienna SUV and another at the bus stop.

"They (hoodlums) set ablaze a Sienna bus and tried to burn another vehicle but the driver of the vehicle quickly sped off,” a source said.

According to the driver of the vehicle that was burnt, the gunmen arrived at the motor park as he was still awaiting passengers to take to their destinations.
 
According to a security source, the driver used to load passengers very early every Monday to beat the sit-at-home. "Unfortunately, he was standing a distance away from his vehicle when the gunmen arrived in a minibus.
 
"He told us that when he saw some men with guns he felt they were armed robbers and immediately moved away from the vicinity as quickly as he could.
 
"By the time he looked back to see what was happening, his Sienna was up in flames. They killed two persons including a passenger inside the Sienna bus."
 
The state police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe ASP, who was contacted through a text message as he had requested, had not replied to the message at the time of filing this report

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A Russian soldier Alexey Bychkov was detained on Saturday, for recording a video of himself sexually abusing a baby, The Insider reported.
 
The arrest comes after Lyudmila Denisova, commissioner for human rights in the Ukrainian Parliament, alleged on Saturday that Russian troops have raped children during the war.

In a statement on Telegram, she said a 14-year-old girl in Bucha was raped by five soldiers and as a result is now pregnant.
 
In another shocking incident, an 11-year-old boy in the same town was also raped in front of his mum, who was tied to a chair and forced to watch.
 
The ombudswoman added that three soldiers also raped a 20-year-old woman in Irpen.
 
Bychkov serves in a military unit in Pskov, a Russian town. The Insider further cited the chairman of the Council of Veterans of the 76th Guards Division of the Airborne Forces, Yuri Sosedov's information that all units in Pskov had been in Ukraine as part of Russia's "special military operations," according to the independent investigative journalism outlet, known for exposing fake news in Russian media,
 
Nexta, a Belarusian outlet, has reported the soldier intended to sell the filmed content on the darknet but was let down by his colleagues after he sent them the videos.
 
Meanwhile, The Insider revealed that the video with the baby is not Bychkov's only transgression. He has several other such videos, where he commits acts of violence against children.
 
Notably, Russia has already been accused of war crimes in Ukraine, and there have been reports of rape. A woman claimed, according to The Times, that Russian soldiers raped her with her child crying in the same house.
 
Since President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine, they have increasingly targeted civilians. After Russian soldiers retreated from towns around Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, horrifying news emerged from Bucha, where mass graves of civilians were found.
 
This brought global condemnation, with Russia being suspended from the Human Rights Council in the United Nations. The Insider has also reported Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmila Denisova saying that Russian troops have kidnapped over 120,000 Ukrainian children, and some of them have been raped.
 
Thus far, Russia has denied all accusations of war crimes in Ukraine, going to the extent of saying that civilians in Bucha were killed at the hands of Ukrainian Nazis. Moscow's stated objective, since troops were sent on February 24, has been to "denazify" Ukraine.

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As Uganda's much loved and respected President-Elect, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (aka Bobi Wine) took the stand to deliver his speech "How To Topple A Dictator" on Wednesday at the Geneva Summit in Switzerland, the Ugandan genocide raged on in the Karamoja region of North East Uganda, as countless people lay slaughtered, beheaded, dismembered or shot, as what remained of their homes, villages and their entire lives, dissolved into ashes as the fires set alight to destroy them, smouldered on relentlessly, throughout the night. 

As if the ongoing senseless abduction, torture, rape and murder of Uganda's people is not enough, the genocide continues to add to the ever-increasing death toll as it spreads in earnest to the arid Karamoja region and it is indeed, relentless ... 

The arid Karamoja earth is soaked with the blood of Uganda's innocent and all any survivors can do is to look on, dazed and in a state of shock ... for these are their mothers, fathers, children, brothers - and no one has been spared ... families, homes, lives - all gone, overnight. 

Photos begin to flood social media, some so horrific they come with warnings and a choice to view or not. The uncovered ones mostly show the deceased open-eyed, a mixture of surprise and shock frozen on their faces and many are seen to still hold either a knife, bow and arrow or wooden stick in their hands - a desperate last attempt at self-defence... and the Ugandans weep, they weep in sorrow, desperation and despair for their people as the news spreads and even other, faraway African countries can feel the pain of the Ugandan people - their cries catch the wind that carries them across our continent - and even the birds stop singing, briefly. We all just want it to STOP ... watching in horror, as the world continues to turn a blind eye and as the body count grows, still maintains trade with Uganda - some countries even making new deals.

But we, outside Uganda, can see the truth - know that the sunny, happy "face" of Uganda with its inspiring tourism campaigns and cheerful photos of kids going back to school after lockdown being shown to the world as a means to further trick and deceive, is nothing more than the beautiful icing on a cake which belies that underneath it is completely, shockingly rotten to the very core.

The massacre of the people of Karamoja and the torture chambers, scattered throughout the country tell the true horror of Uganda today, as deliberately leaked footage taken inside the chambers, intends to intimidate and instil fear. Torturers are often seen in clothing bearing the letters "NRM" of the National Resistance Movement - the party of ageing 77-year-old retired senior military officer, Yoweri Museveni, who came into power in 1986 and conveniently changed the country's constitution at will, to ensure his 36-year rule.

It is widely known, internationally as well, that (despite a seemingly well-timed sabotage attempt, or "internet outage" Uganda's 2021 elections were clearly rigged and were noted as such by concerned international observers as being the most violent and unfair election ever held in Uganda's history.

As if there were a shred of doubt about who the people voted for as their President, the subsequent constant, relentless targeting of all members and supporters of President-Elect Bobi Wine's party, the National Unity Platform (NUP) is surely proof enough, as it continues unabated as those unable to flee or hide, are slowly picked off one by one, many never seen, ever again. Those that do make it, mostly have visible signs of prolonged, barbaric torture on their bodies as further proof as well as deep mental and emotional scars which will never completely heal.

The killing continues across Uganda even now, with not just increasing body counts as proof but also, deliberately leaked footage of the callous torture of the Karamoja people now also being inflicted on them. The fact that footage clearly shows that the torture is perpetrated by armed men in full military uniform, which further confirms reports like those on 29th March by local people desperately crying ‘security forces are shooting unarmed civilians!' and again on 4th April in the Abim district when voices screamed: "soldiers are attacking innocents!"

The Karamoja region of Uganda, in the past decade especially, has had several clashes and allegations of violence against them, with the UDPF allegedly disarming them and another incident where both ground forces and a helicopter gunship were used. Karamoja is often referred to as the "Basket of Uganda's minerals" with over 50 minerals found there including gold, lithium, copper, iron ore, marble and graphite to name a few. Gold is said to have overtaken coffee as U$1 billion gold was exported from Uganda in 2011 alone.

Karamoja, however, is known to have one of the highest poverty indexes and it would seem as though the area and the Karamoja people have remained an "afterthought" by the government - that is, of course, until the recent discovery of the area's vast, hidden mineral wealth. 

Karamoja echoes present-day Northern Nigeria, with its own genocide raging as "cattle herding bandits" also leave families dead and burn villages in their wake. As news broke of Karamoja's killing fields, a commuter train carrying just under 1,000 innocent commuters was under terrorist attack. It was not lost on us, that this all happened whilst the world was on high alert, with their eyes and ears all focused on Ukraine.

President-Elect of Uganda, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, after delivering his powerful ten-minute speech on the world's stage in Geneva, concluded his passionate plea to the world for his people and for his country as he ended, with a clear request to the international community "If you cannot help us, please stop sponsoring our oppression, please stop being the paymasters of our oppressor. If that stops, then that will be the beginning of the liberation of the people of Uganda."

 

Tilley is a fellow African, in solidarity with the Ugandan people. I dedicate this article & my voice to all Uganda's truth speakers, activists, writers and journalists silenced by torture, incarceration, death and those living in exile.

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Telecoms firm, MTN has received final approval from Nigerian regulators to run the Mobile Money (MoMo) Payment Service Bank (PSB) licence in Nigeria.
 
The mobile operator announced on Monday that it has been given permission to operate the bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and it will soon offer financial services in accordance with the licence requirements.

news.yahoo.com

“The date of commencement will be communicated to the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) in accordance with its requirements,” the telco heavyweight said of the bank to be known as MoMo Payment Service Bank Limited in a note to the Nigerian Exchange.
 
With the Payment Service Bank licence, MTN Nigeria will offer a wider range of mobile financial services beyond the traditional person-to-person mobile money transfers, such as lending and bill payments.
 
 
Premium Times quoted an official as saying, “We want to leverage the financial inclusion drive. We plan to give people who don’t have bank accounts or even ATM cards the opportunity to be able to do banking services.
 
“And we are leveraging on our size. When we have subscribers of over 70 million spread across Nigeria with our infrastructural spread, we are well-positioned to cover everywhere. That’s exactly what we want to achieve.”

MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa, who got approvals in principle last November to operate in the same space, will tap Nigeria’s unbanked adult population of 38 million people, who according to Abuja-based media research house and data analytics firm, had N26.2 trillion last year alone, a move that will pit both telcos against traditional banks in getting a slice of the market.
 

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A commissioner in the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Christina Mojisola Kolade and her husband, Ebenezer Kolade have been charged before a US District Court, District of Connecticut (New Haven) for tax fraud.

The case was assigned to Judge Janet Bond Arterton and the amount involved is $3,324,000 (about N1.4 billion using the official N415.65 to $1 exchange rate).

Under the federal law of the United States of America, tax evasion or tax fraud is the purposeful illegal attempt of a taxpayer to evade assessment or payment of a tax imposed by Federal law.
 
Conviction of tax evasion may result in fines and imprisonment.
 
According to court documents dated March 28, 2022, seen by SaharaReporters, the former Ekiti State Health Commissioner and her husband owe the US government $3.3 million for allegedly filing fraudulent tax returns.

The duo run New Era Rehabilitation Center Inc., Bridgeport, CT 06601 in Connecticut.
 
Christina is also the Chief Medical Director of the privately-owned rehabilitation centre.
 
She was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 as a full-time Commissioner (Compensation) in the National Salaries Income and Wages Commission.

She is the President and founder of Christina & Ebenezer Kolade Foundation (MOKOLADE), in Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria and President of Irede Farms Limited in Ogun State.

According to her curriculum vitae, Mojisola Kolade earned a Diploma in Midwifery at Sacred Heart Hospital, School of Midwifery, Abeokuta, Nigeria from 1978-1981. She later had a diploma in Nursing from the University College Hospital School of Nursing, Ibadan, and proceeded to St John University College of Pharmacy, New York, USA, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy.

Her CV also says she earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York, USA, among other things.

When contacted, Christina denied being charged with tax fraud.
 
“Tax fraud, I don’t know about any tax fraud,” she said.
 
When asked what she’s being charged for, she said, “If you want to talk to me, maybe you need to see me or talk to my lawyer in the US, just send me your name, number, picture and where you are calling from. Give me all your details. Send me your details."

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Twitter Inc (TWTR.N) said on Sunday that American billionaire, Elon Musk rejected its offer to join the social media firm's board.

This is a dramatic turn in a week when the billionaire became its biggest shareholder, and it warned of more drama with "distractions ahead," Reuters reports.

Twitter Chief Executive Parag Agrawal said in a note posted to Twitter that the company's board held many discussions with Musk, but he did not state the reason for the Tesla (TSLA.O) CEO's decision.
 
Agrawal said the planned appointment was due to become effective on Saturday, which would have prevented the world's wealthiest person from becoming a beneficial owner of more than 14.9% of Twitter's common stock.
 
"I believe this is for the best," Agrawal said in the note. "There will be distractions ahead, but our goals and priorities remain unchanged."
 
The announcement was so abrupt that Musk was still listed on Twitter's board of directors on its website as of early Monday.
 
Twitter shares were down about 4% in premarket trading on Monday. They soared 27% on April 4 after Musk disclosed his stake but have since lost 7.5%.
 
Musk, whose net worth is pegged at $274 billion by Forbes, responded only with a face-with-hand-over-mouth emoticon on Twitter. Tesla did not immediately respond to an email sent to the company seeking comment from the CEO.
Musk, who calls himself a free-speech absolutist and has been critical of Twitter, disclosed a 9.1% stake on April 4 and said he planned to bring about significant improvements to the social media platform.
 
The disclosure of the stake stoked widespread speculation on his intentions, ranging from a full takeover of the platform to taking an active role in corporate decisions.
 
News of Musk taking a board seat had some Twitter employees panicking over the future of the social media firm's ability to moderate content, company sources told Reuters.
 
Musk, a prolific user of Twitter, has made announcements about his company and a variety of issues to his more than 80 million followers on the social media platform.
 
Before taking a stake, Musk ran a Twitter poll asking users if they believed Twitter adheres to the principle of free speech.
 
A day after becoming the largest shareholder, he launched another poll asking users if they wanted an edit button, a long-awaited feature on which Twitter has been working. read more
 
The Tesla boss also asked users in a poll if Twitter's headquarters should be converted into a homeless shelter, a plan backed by Amazon.com Inc's (AMZN.O) founder Jeff Bezos.
 
On Saturday, Musk suggested changes to the Twitter Blue premium subscription service, including slashing its price, banning advertising and giving an option to pay in the cryptocurrency dogecoin.

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has asked some presidential candidates in the party to “show respect and withdraw from the 2023 presidential race”.
 
Igbokwe, a former spokesperson for the APC in Lagos, in a post on his Facebook page on Sunday, advised politicians who are also members of the party who had been helped by the former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, to withdraw from the race.

There are speculations that he may be speaking indirectly to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who declared to run for president on Monday morning.
 
It is believed in some quarters that Tinubu is the political benefactor of Osinbajo.
 
Tinubu has already declared his ambition to contest in the 2023 general election to be Nigeria’s president.
 
Igbokwe wrote last night, “Let me drop it here for history and posterity: If you are one of the people Asiwaju (Tinubu) raised up and you are eyeing the presidency of the federal republic of Nigeria, show respect and withdraw from the race.”
 
At the time Igbokwe made the post on Facebook on Sunday, Osinbajo was hosting All Progressives Congress governors in Abuja.
 
He had hosted the governors for the breaking of the Ramadan fast (Iftar) and declared his intention to them.
 
Apart from Tinubu, Osinbajo will be contesting the APC presidential primary against the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.
 
Other people in government believed to be eyeing the position but have yet to declare their intentions include: Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

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Pastor Kumuyi

The General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has explained why the church changed its stance against the use of television, radio, social media and other technological inventions.
The church was against the use of TV and other modern technologies in its early years reportedly to keep members away from temptations and worldly corruption.
 
But Kumuyi, in a Facebook video lamented that ‘wicked people’ are using the provisions of technology to advance their agenda, hence, the church cannot continue ‘sleeping’ but must ‘wake up’ and use the same technology for Gospel’s sake.

Pastor Kumuyi Wikipedia

He explained the paradigm shift became imperative following his knowledge of this agenda by forces against the gospel with the use of technology.
 
“Why are you the latecomer, why are you the one to be the last to use all these things that the people are using to make the world worse, we are going to rise up,” the octogenarian preacher said.
 
“Anything at the disposal of the people that are doing evil, we are going to take it away from them and use it for the propagation of the gospel. Let your no be changed to yes.
 
“People are getting new methods and they are doing evil. These are the last days and evil is growing worse because people go beyond using their natural strengths, natural technology, they use telephones, they use the media, they use all these connections, the Zoom and all these things to expand the evil they are doing.
 
“If those messengers of Satan are using the present-day technology and they are expanding, how about you? You will use those things available; they are not only available for messengers who do evil, they are available for the people that are doing good. You will use them.
 
“The church has been asleep. When radio began some years ago, people didn’t understand how voices would be coming out of a radio, and so the church at that time said, ‘No, we cannot use radio, there is something there that is magical, that is demonic, voice coming out from just a gadget?’ The church said no. Then, the people of the world began to use the radio. Then the church woke up.
 
“When television came, somebody somewhere performing drama, they see him on the screen and then the church said, ‘This is evil, these are the last days, look at them, bringing pictures on the screen and whatever they are doing somewhere’. And the church said, ‘No, we are not going to use that’ but later they woke up and they are now using the television.
 
“But now the church is waking up and we are seeing that that thing (technology) is to spread the gospel, for the word of God gets everywhere. We will be wiser than the people of the world. The Lord will wake us up.”
 
The preacher is now known to have changed his stance on a lot of issues bordering on technology.
 
Wide criticism greeted his use of a private jet and a limousine for a crusade in September 2021.
 
But Kumuyi who is bent on embracing change emphasised, “Some people, when the aeroplane came, some people said, ‘We are not doing to use aeroplane’ and they were riding on horses. The bicycle came and they said ‘God has given us legs and if He has given us legs, why are we going to use bicycles?’
 
“Motorcycles came, car came and when the aeroplane came, they said, ‘God has given us the land; He has not given us the space and so all those people who are using aeroplane are worldly, are going to go to hell’. I am telling you what they said in those days but now, all those people, aeroplane has silenced them and now they can go anywhere.”

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced that it will commence the enforcement of a ban on open grazing in the South-East region from April 27, 2022.
 
This was made known in a statement issued on Monday by the secessionist group's spokesperson, Emma Powerful.

SaharaReporters Media

He explained that from the said date, those who are into cow business in the South-East must have a ranch, and properly mark their cows.
 
IPOB also noted that ranches must be properly marked with an identifiable name or symbol to avoid sanctions.
 
According to the group, while the measures are not targeted against any tribe, they are geared towards stopping the killings in Igbo land by killer-herdsmen.
 
The statement reads, “We the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wish to make the following clarifications concerning the ban on the movement of Fulani cows which will take effect from the April 27, 2022.
 
 
“From April 27, 2022, we shall commence the enforcement of the ban on open grazing which has since been pronounced by South-East Governors and passed into law by many states in Biafraland but the Nigerian security agencies have failed to enforce them. Thus, from the said date, no cows should be seen roaming the streets of Biafraland.
 
“From April 27, 2022, anybody interested in cow business anywhere in Biafraland, must have a ranch and properly mark the cows. Cows seen outside ranches with effect from this date shall be treated as contraband products. Owners of such cows should blame themselves.
 
“Owners of cows and ranches should properly mark them with their ranch name or symbol for easy identification.
 
“The above measures have become necessary to stop the senseless and wanton killings in our land by Fulani jihadists masquerading as herdsmen. We want to stop the incessant invasion of our communities and raping of our mothers and sisters by Fulani herdsmen. Enough is enough!
 
“Our action is not targeted against any tribe. We are only taking this measure as a necessity for self-preservation.
 
“Igbo people alone in Biafraland spent more than N3 trillion every year on cows. We, therefore, want to stop using our money to finance the genocidal attacks on our people by Fulani herdsmen. Let them keep their cows so that we may have our lives.
 
“We want our people to breed native cows on our land and also put them in a ranch. We won't tolerate the wandering of cattle again in our land.”
 
The group, in October 2021, banned the rearing and consumption of cows in the South-East region.
 
The group, however, said the ban would take complete effect in six months’ time.
 
He added that only local breed would henceforth “be consumed and used for all ceremonies in Biafraland.”
 
According to him, “from that date, no more Fulani cows shall be allowed into Biafraland for any reason, not for burials, title taking, weddings, etc.”
 
He said the ban followed constant attacks on their people by suspected Fulani herdsmen, resulting in killing, raping of their women and other forms of assaults.
 
This came months after the 17 Southern governors led by Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State met in Lagos on July 5, 2021, and “set a timeline for the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law in all member states”.

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Many people are feared dead following a fire incident at Bonny/Bille/Nembe jetty in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The incident took place on Monday morning while traders were offloading goods from boats at the jetty. 

Also destroyed were fibre and wooden boats at the facility.

This comes a few months after a raging fire gutted market boats at the same jetty.

The boats were loding and offloading at the jetty when the fire suddenly started, as it was believed to be carrying some illegally refined petroleum products.

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Felicia, the wife of a former Senate President of Nigeria, Adolphus Wabara, has passed on.

 

She died in the early hours of Sunday, April 10, 2022, after a protracted illness.

She was 69 years old.

 

The Secretary of Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, Emmanuel Shebbs, in a statement on Monday morning also confirmed the loss in a condolence message, saying, “On behalf of the people of Ndoki, the Chairman, Ukwa East LG, Hon Chuks Wabara sincerely consoles with the former President of the Senate over this great loss, and urges him to take heart as God knows best.”

 

Felicia was married to Senator Adolphus Wabara for 40 years.

 

Wabara became a senator in 1999 and was president of the Senate of Nigeria from 2003 to 2005. He continued his tenure as a senator until 2007 when he stepped down.

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Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Some Nigerians on social media have reacted to the official declaration by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to join the presidential race for 2023.

Osinbajo in an early morning broadcast on Monday revealed that he will be contesting for the exalted position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

It had been widely rumoured for months that the Vice President was harbouring ambitions to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

During his declaration speech, he made many promises to Nigerians, which he said he would fulfil if allowed to lead the country.

Osinbajo added that his decision to join the presidential race is to contribute his quota to the development of the country.

Following the development, some Nigerians on Twitter lambasted the Vice President.

They also mocked him for being a puppet in the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Below are some comments:

He said he has listen to the yarning of the people, but calling Buhari a true Nigeria patriot is somehow.
He said he wants to complete what they started!! Complete the reform of the justice system.
His oratory prowess in the 6:56 minutes ✅ but he is serving under Buhari 😭 https://t.co/GxkS9fx7oQ

— President Eniola Daniel (@UnlimitedEniola) April 11, 2022  

I don’t know whether to laugh or cuss out, cos the ironic part of this clip is how he highlighted almost all the disasters in the country to somehow use as a campaign manifesto like his tenure aren’t the ones behind it. Afflictions shall never rise a second time.

— A$AP Lerry (@_AsiwajuLerry) April 11, 2022  

Osinbajo u failed to meet Nigerians expectations as a VP in more ways than one, ur all-round performance speaks volumes about ur !nability to effectively rule; Furthermore, ur credibility remains questionab!e since u still dine with this present govt. U a!n't a man of the people.

— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) April 11, 2022  

The SW voted for Buhari bcos of you. We didn’t trust him but we trusted you that you will be the conscience of his administration, but look at how both of you turned out - disaster! It’s your right to run but by the grace of God, you’re only running back to your house.

— 🌴 Yᴏᴜʀ Dᴇsᴛɪɴʏ Hᴇʟᴘᴇʀ®🕊🌴 (@AyanfeOfGod) April 11, 2022  

You have been on seat for 7 years and you couldn't solve this countries problem. How then do you want the masses to give you another term again? To do what exactly? You have the power at hand now but can't use it. Mister Oga sir please be sincere to yourself you can't help again

— Williams_079𓃵 (@UgoWilliams079) April 11, 2022  

"I have served with a true Nigerian Patriot"... How can someone lie that Buhari is a patriot??? pic.twitter.com/Oc0UMiS7Fi

— Osinbajo's Tied Hands! (@Oserume1) April 11, 2022  

Loll all of a sudden your hands are no longer tied. Oga focus on RCCG as junior pastor because the evil you and Buhari did is enough for a life time...

— HIS HANDSOMENESS 😉 (@BuchiFilms) April 11, 2022  

See him mentioning the problems of Nigeria like he was never part of the team ruling it for the past 8 years.
He mentioned reforming the educational sector while at present ASUU is on strike and he's doing nothing about it.
Mentioned lifting 100million Nigerians out of poverty ..

— 𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕠 📸 (@DayoAshiru) April 11, 2022  

What happened to Nigeria's Economy under ur watch? U're in charge of Tradermoney that went the drained. U've been to many places as an excursionist & nothing more! Governing a Nation is more huge than Oratory prowess. An experimental process that this Nation can't afford.

— Comr Ọ̀bẹ́ (@obe_comr) April 11, 2022

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Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has taken a swipe at the Vice-President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo after the latter officially declared his interest to run for President.

Osinbajo on Monday officially declared his interest to contest the 2023 presidential election.

“I am today, with utmost humility formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of APC,” he said in a post on his official Twitter.

“At the direction of Mr. President, I have represented our country in several international engagements. I have been in markets, factories, schools, and farms. I have visited our gallant troops in the North-East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps.”

In a video posted on his official Twitter handle, Osinbajo added, “If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I’m given the opportunity, I believe that first we must complete what we have started, radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture, completing the reform of our justice system, focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel and ensuring justice for all and the observance of the rule of law…”

This has generated reactions from different parts of the country.

In his remark, Sowore described Osinbajo's declaration as an insult to Nigeria, particularly as the latter mentioned he was going to build on the success of the Buhari's regime which Sowore described as insecurity, and terrorism, lawlessness among other negative things.

He wrote on Twitter, “@ProfOsinbajo VP Yemi Osinbajo declaration is the most nauseating set of lies ever packaged! He even said he plans to build on the success of the @mBuhari regime. What an insult? Buhari’s successes are insecurity, terrorism, lawlessness, economic disaster. #WeCantContinueLikeThis.”

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Some kidnapped victims of the ill-fated Kaduna-bound train have cried out in captivity, urging the Nigerian Government to expedite rescue action.
 
In a viral video, some of those abducted spoke from their captors' den, calling for an action to free them from the bandits' captivity.

Speaking in Hausa, an elderly kidnap victim said there were women, children and the elderly among those held hostage.
 
"We're among the passengers on board the Kaduna-bound train that was attacked on March 28, 2022. Amongst us are children, women and the elderly.
 
"What's pathetic here is that quite a number of persons here in captivity are sick and the number is rising by the day.
 
"We need you out there, our friends, family members to coordinate and get the government to act so we can be freed by those holding us.
 
"Yes, please do that immediately because we're facing hardship, unimaginable hardship; our situation is truly a desperate one.
 
"We're therefore pleading with the federal government and desperately so, to do the needful to get us back home please," the victim pleaded.
 
Another victim about the same age says, "We understand that these people have some kind of grouse against the authorities.
 
"Consequently, they have some demands, of which I think the government is aware. Therefore, why not meet those demands to get your citizens freed from them?”
The attack and abduction, which occurred on March 28, have continued to elicit concerns over the level of insecurity in the country.
 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had confirmed eight deaths, while many persons were declared missing.

The terrorists had earlier released the acting managing director/chief executive officer of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Alwan Hassan, citing the Ramadan season and old age as the reasons why he was freed.
 

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No fewer than two persons were killed on Monday morning as gunmen invaded the Ohaogelode community in the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
 
The Ohaogelode community, according to reports, is a neighbouring community to Effium, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the state which has been involved in a violent communal crisis.

The lingering communal conflict in the state between the Effium and Ezza Effium peoples has been violent, resulting in killings and the destruction of property.
 
Vanguard reports that a video of the incident circulating online showed that at least two persons were killed. In the video, a victim was burnt to death beside a building that was still on fire.
 
Another dead victim, a woman, was seen in the video with machete cuts all over her body.
 
However, unconfirmed reports said at least four persons were killed as over five houses were burnt by the attackers.
 
Meanwhile, a statement credited to the Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Clement Odah condemned the attack.
 
The statement reads: “Ohaukwu Local Government Council has received with concern, a report of the unfortunate incident at Ohaogelode Village, in Ishieke community. 
 
“The council condemns the incident in strong terms and reassures all that no stones will be left unturned to unravel the true circumstances that led to such avoidable loss of lives and properties.
 
“Council has initiated a spirited and discreet investigation to unveil the perpetrators of the act and ensure that justice is done. 
 
“Our heartfelt sympathies go to all the affected families and our beloved brothers from Ohaogelode village. Council reaffirms that both Ishieke and Effium communities have lived in peace as brothers from time immemorial and this peace must not be tampered with.”
 
“The government of Ebonyi State under our peace-loving governor has worked assiduously to restore peace in the entire Ebonyi State and all hands must be on deck to achieve the task of a peaceful Ebonyi State where love and unity reign supreme.
 
“Once again all parties are assured that justice must be done as a deterrent and guarantee against future re-occurrence,” Odah added.

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Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has lambasted Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State for his hypocrisy and promotion of religious intolerance in the state which allegedly contributed to the 24-year jail term handed down to atheist, Mubarak Bala.
 
Speaking with The PUNCH, Soyinka said the sentence handed down to Bala must be appealed at once even as he argued that it was hypocritical of the Ganduje government and the Sharia authorities to be chasing blasphemers while the governor himself saw nothing wrong in stuffing his ‘babariga’ outfit with dollars.

Wole Soyinka Britannica

Ganduje was in 2018 caught on video stuffing his outfit with wads of dollars presumed to be kickbacks, a development that attracted criticisms from several pro-transparency groups.
 
The governor however denied receiving kickbacks.
 
Soyinka said he was shocked by Ganduje’s statement wherein he promised to sign the death warrant of musician, Yahaya Shariff, who was convicted for blasphemy in 2020.
 
“You can imagine a governor saying he would sign the death warrant of a musician for blasphemy! For me, it is nothing short of a crime against humanity. It reeks of hypocrisy. This was the same governor that was stuffing his outfit with dollars.
 
“I have deliberately not called for his arrest because he enjoys immunity. But these are the people who arrest blasphemers,” said the Nobel Laureate.
 
When asked if he would be seeking Ganduje’s prosecution after he leaves office, Soyinka responded, “Of course, the authorities know what to do once he leaves office.”
 
He added that it was hypocritical of the northern leaders to hound blasphemers while turning a blind eye to corruption.
 
The Nobel Laureate called on civil society groups to launch a campaign against the 24-year imprisonment of Bala even as he insisted that the moves should be made to immediately appeal the sentence.
 
“I am glad that the conviction will be appealed but I think it is imperative for rights groups to launch a campaign against these atrocities. Nigeria is a secular nation and has no state religion. The conviction is one of the fallouts of the so-called Sharia that was adopted by some of these states years ago.
 
“We are not in the dark ages of cavemen. No one should be imprisoned for their religious views. The concept of blasphemy should not even exist in a secular state,” he said.

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The Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on Monday officially declared to contest the 2023 presidential election.

 

“I am today, with utmost humility formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of APC,” he said in a post on his official Twitter.

“At the direction of Mr. President, I have represented our country in several international engagements. I have been in markets, factories, schools, and farms. I have visited our gallant troops in the North-East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps.”

 

In a video posted on his official Twitter handle, Osinbajo said, “Dear Nigerians, for the past seven years, I have served as vice president under a true Nigerian patriot, a servant of the nation in war and peace and a man of integrity, President Muhammadu Buhari. We have together worked through some of the most difficult times in the history of our nation but we have remained focused on securing the country, providing infrastructure and growing our economy.

 

“As stipulated by the Nigerian constitution, our tenure will end next year. In this period of seven years, I have served the government in several capacities and I have at the direction of Mr President represented our country in sensitive high-level international engagements. I’ve been to practically all local governments in Nigeria; I have been in markets, in factories, in schools, farms, I have been in agriculture, mining and oil-producing communities in the Delta, in Kebbi, in Enugu, in Borno, in Rivers, in Plateau and Ondo and in all other states of the federation, listening to the diverse experiences and yearnings of our people.

 

“I have visited our gallant troops in the North-East and our brothers and sisters in the IDP camps. I have felt the pain and anguish of victims in violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, flooding, fire and other disasters.

 

“I’ve been in the homes of many ordinary Nigerians in various parts of the country. I have sat with our techpreneurs in Lagos, Edo and Kaduna, with our Nollywood and Kannywood actors, with our musicians from Lagos and Kano and I’ve spoken to small and large businesses (sic). I stood where they stood and I sat where they sat, I know their hopes and aspirations and their fears and I believe that in those hopes and aspirations are the seeds for the great Nigeria that we all desire.

 

“I believe that the very reason why the almighty God gave me these experiences, these insights, these opportunities is that they must be put to the use of our country and its great peoples, which is why I am today with utmost humility formally declaring my intention to run for the office of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.

 

“If by the grace of God and the will of the people, I’m given the opportunity, I believe that first we must complete what we have started, radically transforming our security and intelligence architecture, completing the reform of our justice system, focusing on adequate remuneration and welfare of judicial personnel and ensuring justice for all and the observance of the rule of law, rapidly advancing our infrastructure development, especially power, roads, railways and broadband connectivity, providing an excellent environment for businesses to thrive, taking the agriculture revolution to the next level, especially mechanisation and developing the farm to table value chain, making sure that the government, its agencies and regulators serve the business community, creating a tech economy that would provide jobs for millions of young Nigerians, enhancing our social investment programme to a full scale social welfare programme, completing the promise of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within this decade, completing the task of ensuring that all Nigerians, male and female, attend school, reforming our educational system for relevance to the challenges of this sector.

 

 

 

Osinbajo had hosted All Progressives Congress governors on Sunday in Abuja.

 

He had hosted the governors for the breaking of Ramadan fast (Iftar) and declared his intention to them.

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